Plate

This blue and white transfer-printed earthenware plate made by an unidentified Staffordshire firm features a view titled "Hobart Town." It is not known whether it portrays the town of Hobart in southwestern New York or some other town of the same name elsewhere. The print source is unknown. The view belongs to a series of approximately eighteen North and South American views of cities and towns with floral borders manufactured for the United States export market. Pieces in the series are typically marked on the back with the title of the view printed in a scrolled cartouche. Both the border for the series and the mark bear a striking resemblance to the so-called “Fruit and Flower Border" series by Henshall, Williamson & Co. (ca. 1802–1828). See, for example, 16.83.7. However the present series includes views based on John Howard Hinton's "The History and Topography of the United States of North America" (London, 1830 and 1832) published two years after Henshall is believed to have ceased operations. The American Wing's collection contains additional pieces from the same unattributed series. Refer to the Dictionary for a definition of the term "transfer printing" and for information about Henshall.