Vegetable Dish and Lid
1884 (designed)
| Artist/Maker | |
| Place of origin |
Object Type
Although this dinner service is made of earthenware (the cheapest of the ceramic materials to fire) and the decoration is transfer-printed, the least labour-intensive method then available, it does have features that lift it out of the ordinary. Christopher Dresser's commitment to practicality led him to include a dip to help in scooping up the last spoonful in the soup plates accompanying this vegetable dish. The plates of this service have indents in the rims for condiments. The vegetable dish is of a strongly geometric form, typical of Dresser's style.
People
Dresser, a trained botanist, was perhaps the most radical and prolific of 19th-century designers. Often described as a 'pioneer of modern design', he promoted quality, machine production and new materials; his interest in and commitment to commercial design meant that he actively sought opportunities to design for inexpensive mass production.
Design & Designing
Dresser's designs for Old Hall Earthenware Co. were first registered in 1884. This service was registered in 1886. Although given the name 'Shanghai', the pattern has no connection at all with Chinese ornament or the Far East. This complete irrelevance of name to pattern is common in Victorian ceramics. The same shape was also produced decorated with other patterns called 'Persian' and 'Hampden'.
Although this dinner service is made of earthenware (the cheapest of the ceramic materials to fire) and the decoration is transfer-printed, the least labour-intensive method then available, it does have features that lift it out of the ordinary. Christopher Dresser's commitment to practicality led him to include a dip to help in scooping up the last spoonful in the soup plates accompanying this vegetable dish. The plates of this service have indents in the rims for condiments. The vegetable dish is of a strongly geometric form, typical of Dresser's style.
People
Dresser, a trained botanist, was perhaps the most radical and prolific of 19th-century designers. Often described as a 'pioneer of modern design', he promoted quality, machine production and new materials; his interest in and commitment to commercial design meant that he actively sought opportunities to design for inexpensive mass production.
Design & Designing
Dresser's designs for Old Hall Earthenware Co. were first registered in 1884. This service was registered in 1886. Although given the name 'Shanghai', the pattern has no connection at all with Chinese ornament or the Far East. This complete irrelevance of name to pattern is common in Victorian ceramics. The same shape was also produced decorated with other patterns called 'Persian' and 'Hampden'.
Object details
| Categories | |
| Object type | |
| Parts | This object consists of 2 parts.
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| Materials and techniques | Transfer-printed earthenware |
| Brief description | 'Shanghai' pattern vegetable dish and lid by Christopher Dresser for Old Hall pottery |
| Physical description | 'Shanghai' pattern vegetable dish and lid |
| Dimensions |
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| Marks and inscriptions | Marks: 'Chr Dresser' facsimile signature and 'Alfred B Pearce/39 Ludgate Hill/London printed on base |
| Gallery label |
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| Object history | Designed by Christopher Dresser (born in Glasgow, Scotland, 1834, died in Mulhouse, France 1904); made by Old Hall Earthenware Co. Ltd., Hanley, Staffordshire |
| Summary | Object Type Although this dinner service is made of earthenware (the cheapest of the ceramic materials to fire) and the decoration is transfer-printed, the least labour-intensive method then available, it does have features that lift it out of the ordinary. Christopher Dresser's commitment to practicality led him to include a dip to help in scooping up the last spoonful in the soup plates accompanying this vegetable dish. The plates of this service have indents in the rims for condiments. The vegetable dish is of a strongly geometric form, typical of Dresser's style. People Dresser, a trained botanist, was perhaps the most radical and prolific of 19th-century designers. Often described as a 'pioneer of modern design', he promoted quality, machine production and new materials; his interest in and commitment to commercial design meant that he actively sought opportunities to design for inexpensive mass production. Design & Designing Dresser's designs for Old Hall Earthenware Co. were first registered in 1884. This service was registered in 1886. Although given the name 'Shanghai', the pattern has no connection at all with Chinese ornament or the Far East. This complete irrelevance of name to pattern is common in Victorian ceramics. The same shape was also produced decorated with other patterns called 'Persian' and 'Hampden'. |
| Other number | 4193 - pattern number |
| Collection | |
| Accession number | C.122:1, 2-1999 |
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| Record created | January 27, 2000 |
| Record URL |
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