Plate
This black and white transfer-printed earthenware plate made by the Staffordshire firm of Job & John Jackson features a view of the Race Bridge at the Fairmount Water Works in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Built in the Neoclassical style from 1812 to 1824 after designs by Philadelphia engineer Frederick Graff (1774–1847), the Fairmount Water Works were among the first hydraulic powered pumping systems in the United States. They replaced the city's original steam-powered facility erected at Centre Street in 1799, which appears on another Jackson plate, 14.102.157, in the American Wing's collection. The new facility was equipped with a dam that backed up the Schuylkill River for nearly six miles to create the power needed to pump millions of gallons of water into the reservoir situated at the top of "Faire Mount." Combining utility and aesthetics, the roof above the pumping system also served as a 250-foot long promenade overlooking the Schuylkill. Providing a lush scenic setting, the surrounding Fairmount Park was among the nation's first parks and a popular tourist attraction arising from the growth of tourism in nineteenth-century America. As exemplars of innovative engineering, fine American public architecture and an aesthetically appealing urban ideal, the Water Works, its park and connecting bridges were often chosen to decorate transfer-printed export wares. Other views of this famous site appear, for example, on a dish, 14.102.220, by William Ridgway, Son & Co. (ca. 1836–1848) and on a sauceboat stand, 10.57.14, by Joseph Stubbs (ca. 1822–1836). Jackson's view of the Race Bridge was based on a drawing by English-born New York artist Charles Burton (active ca. 1819–1842) engraved by Fenner, Sears & Co. and reproduced as "The Race Bridge, Fair Mount Water Works, Philadelphia" in John Howard Hinton's "The History and Topography of the United States of North America" (London, 1830 and 1832). Jackson included the view in its series commonly known as "American Scenery" consisting of approximately thirty-two American views produced for the United States export market with a standard border of floral bouquets and blossoms, C-scrolls and an outer beaded band. The collection contains additional pieces by Jackson from the same series. It also contains original works by Burton. Refer to the Dictionary for a definition of the term "transfer printing" and for information about Jackson and the other above-mentioned firms.
Artwork Details
- Title: Plate
- Maker: Job & John Jackson (active 1831–35)
- Date: ca. 1831–ca. 1835
- Geography: Made in Staffordshire, Stoke-on-Trent, England
- Culture: British (American market)
- Medium: Earthenware, transfer-printed
- Dimensions: Diam. 8 7/8 in. (22.5 cm)
- Credit Line: Bequest of Mary Mandeville Johnston, from the collection of Mr. and Mrs. Edward W. S. Johnston, 1914
- Object Number: 14.102.301
- Curatorial Department: The American Wing
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Job & John Jackson (active 1831–35)
ca. 1831–ca. 1835
Job & John Jackson (active 1831–35)
ca. 1831–ca. 1835
Job & John Jackson (active 1831–35)
ca. 1831–ca. 1835
Job & John Jackson (active 1831–35)
ca. 1831–ca. 1835
Job & John Jackson (active 1831–35)
ca. 1831–ca. 1835
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