Plate
This black and white transfer-printed made by the Staffordshire firm of William Ridgway & Co. features a view of the Shenandoah Valley from Jefferson's Rock in the historic town of Harper's Ferry, West Virginia. The view belongs to series of approximately sixteen American views commonly known as "American Scenery" produced for the United States export market beginning in the 1840s. Harper's Ferry is situated at the confluence of the Potomac and Shenandoah Rivers in the Blue Ridge Mountains. Robert Harper, who ran a ferry across the Potomac, settled the town in 1747. By the mid-nineteenth century Harper’s Ferry was an important arms producing center famous also for its picturesque mountain scenery. In addition, the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal and the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad made it a crucial transportation link between the Ohio Valley and East Coast. A symbol of American commercial progress amidst scenic beauty, the town and its environs were popular subjects for transfer-printed views destined for American consumers. A different view of the Shenandoah Valley at Harper’s Ferry appears, for example, on a platter, 10.57.36, by William Adams & Sons (ca. 1819–present). Ridgway based its view of the area on a drawing by English artist William Henry Bartlett (1809–1854) engraved by James Tibbetts Willmore (1800–1863) and reproduced as "The Valley of Shenandoah, From Jefferson's Rock. (Harper's Ferry)” in Nathaniel Parker Willis' "American Scenery" (London, 1840). Bartlett was among the finest topographical draftsmen of the nineteenth century. Over one hundred of his drawings were published in “American Scenery," which established the route for the so-called “American Grand Tour" and became one of the most influential travel books of the period. The Museum's collection contains additional pieces by Ridgway, as well as original works by Bartlett and various editions of "American Scenery." Bartlett's American views also inspired decoration on export wares by other firms, including scenes on four pieces, 14.102.219, 14.102.220, 14.102.267 and 14.102.316, from the "Catskill Moss" series by William Ridgway, Son & Co. (ca. 1836–1848). Refer to the Dictionary for a definition of the term “transfer printing" and for information about the Ridgway firms and Adams.
Artwork Details
- Title: Plate
- Maker: William Ridgway & Co. (active ca. 1834–1854)
- Date: ca. 1840–ca. 1854
- Geography: Made in Staffordshire, Stoke-on-Trent, England; Made in Staffordshire, Stoke-on-Trent, England
- Culture: British (American market)
- Medium: Earthenware, transfer-printed
- Dimensions: Diam. 7 in. (17.8 cm)
- Credit Line: Bequest of Mary Mandeville Johnston, from the collection of Mr. and Mrs. Edward W. S. Johnston, 1914
- Object Number: 14.102.327
- Curatorial Department: The American Wing
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William Ridgway & Co. (active ca. 1834–1854)
ca. 1840–ca. 1854
William Ridgway & Co. (active ca. 1834–1854)
ca. 1840–ca. 1854
William Ridgway & Co. (active ca. 1834–1854)
ca. 1840–ca. 1854
William Ridgway & Co. (active ca. 1834–1854)
ca. 1840–ca. 1854
William Ridgway & Co. (active ca. 1834–1854)
ca. 1840–ca. 1854
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