Plate

This blue and white transfer-printed earthenware plate made by the Staffordshire firm of Thomas Mayer features the coat-of-arms of the state of Rhode Island from a series commonly known as the "Arms of the American States." Produced for the United States export market, the series represents the arms of the thirteen original states surrounded by a standard border of flowers and vines enclosed within an inner ring of leaves and beading and an outer ring of bound husks and pinwheel motifs. Mayer copied the arms from thirteen designs drawn by Philadelphia artist Thomas Sully (1783–1872), engraved by Scottish-born Philadelphia engraver George Murray (?–1822) and published on a copy of the Declaration of Independence in Philadelphia in 1818. The arms of Rhode Island date to 1647 when colonists designated an anchor below the word "HOPE" as a symbol of their faith in attaining civic and religious freedoms. In Mayer's rendering, the arms consist of an anchor within a shield inscribed at the top with the word "Hope." Mayer enhanced the image of steadfast hope by placing the arms in rough seas. The American Wing's collection also contains a plate, 14.102.156, decorated with Mayer's version of the arms of the State of New York. The other original states whose arms are represented in the series include Connecticut, Delaware, Georgia, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, South Carolina and Virginia. States' arms were a common way for Staffordshire potters to cater to the American market. Another example in the collection is a plate, 14.102.10, by Mellor, Venables & Co. (ca. 1834–1851) decorated with the arms of six states. Refer to the Dictionary for a definition of the term "transfer printing" and for information about the firms of Mayer and Mellor.