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 New York 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. In Mayer's version of the arms of New York, a body of water possibly representing the Hudson River appears in the foreground. The center depicts a shield filled with a rising sun surmounted by an American eagle perched on a globe and a scroll at the base of the shield inscribed "EXCELSIOR." To the left a seated blindfolded female figure of Justice holds a battle axe and fasces. To the right a seated female figure of Liberty holds a staff with a liberty cap. The American Wing's collection also contains a plate, 14.102.34, decorated with Mayer's version of the arms of the State of Rhode Island. 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 popular 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.