Plate

1806 (made)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

Object Type
This typical porcelain dinner plate is of the standard shape made at the Coalport factory, but here used purely as a medium on which to display the all-over enamel decoration.

People
Thomas Baxter Junior received his artistic training in London, to where his family had moved in 1797, setting up a decorating studio near Fleet Street where blanks of Chinese, French and Coalport porcelain were painted and re-sold. Influenced by Henry Fuseli at the Royal Academy school, Baxter specialised in figures but could turn his talents to any subject.

Unlike most ceramic decorators who attempted portraits of famous people, Baxter had first-hand knowledge of his subject through Admiral Lord Nelson's personal patronage and through visits to the home of Nelson and Lady Hamilton at Merton in Surrey. Recent research has identified one of Baxter's drawings of Lady Hamilton as the model for 'Britannia' unveiling the bust of Nelson on this Coalport plate.

The Baxter enamelling studio was undoubtedly the leading establishment of its day, the quality of painting coming close to that achieved by Continental factories during the early 19th century. It also played an important part in training the next generation of decorators.

Object details

Categories
Object type
Materials and techniques
Hard-paste porcelain, painted in enamel colours
Brief description
plate - Britannia / Emma Hamilton unveiling bust of Nelson
Dimensions
  • Height: 2.6cm
  • Diameter: 24cm
Dimensions checked: Measured; 12/12/1998 by SF Dimensions not recorded in Registered Description but measured by SF.
Gallery label
(27/03/2003)
British Galleries:
The scene shows Britannia mourning Nelson and celebrating his victories. This plate was shown in Thomas Baxter Junior's watercolour of his father's workshop, dated 1810. The watercolour was exhibited at the Royal Academy in 1811.
Credit line
Acquired with funds from the bequest of Capt. Murray
Object history
Painted and signed by Thomas Baxter Junior (born in Worcester, 1782, died in London, 1821)
Made at the Coalport factory, Shropshire; painted in the London workshop of Thomas Baxter Senior
Production
Dated 1806
Summary
Object Type
This typical porcelain dinner plate is of the standard shape made at the Coalport factory, but here used purely as a medium on which to display the all-over enamel decoration.

People
Thomas Baxter Junior received his artistic training in London, to where his family had moved in 1797, setting up a decorating studio near Fleet Street where blanks of Chinese, French and Coalport porcelain were painted and re-sold. Influenced by Henry Fuseli at the Royal Academy school, Baxter specialised in figures but could turn his talents to any subject.

Unlike most ceramic decorators who attempted portraits of famous people, Baxter had first-hand knowledge of his subject through Admiral Lord Nelson's personal patronage and through visits to the home of Nelson and Lady Hamilton at Merton in Surrey. Recent research has identified one of Baxter's drawings of Lady Hamilton as the model for 'Britannia' unveiling the bust of Nelson on this Coalport plate.

The Baxter enamelling studio was undoubtedly the leading establishment of its day, the quality of painting coming close to that achieved by Continental factories during the early 19th century. It also played an important part in training the next generation of decorators.
Associated object
782-1894 (Object)
Bibliographic reference
John Sandon, The Regency Decorators of Worcester, International Ceramic Fair and Seminar Handbook, London, 1991, pp. 34-35 discusses the plate and illustrates Baxter's original drawings.
Collection
Accession number
C.67-1984

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Record createdOctober 20, 1998
Record URL
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