Platter
This blue and white transfer-printed earthenware platter made by the Staffordshire firm of John & William Ridgway features a view of the Pennsylvania Hospital in Philadelphia. The view belongs to a series of approximately twenty-two views with borders of rose-filled leaf-shaped oval medallions titled "Beauties of America" produced for the United States export market. The series records important nineteenth-century hospitals, colleges, churches, libraries and other public buildings from Massachusetts to Georgia. Founded in 1751 largely through the efforts of American statesman Benjamin Franklin (1706–1790), Pennsylvania Hospital opened its doors in 1755 as the first hospital in the American colonies. The wings designed by local carpenter Samuel Rhoads (1711–1784) and center section designed by David Evans, Jr. (n.d.) were completed in three phases: the east wing in 1755, the west wing in 1786 and the center in 1805. As an early example of the multiplication of building types and a popular symbol of American progress in the practice of medicine, the Hospital also appears on wares by William Ridgway & Co. (ca. 1834–1854) and Ralph Stevenson (1810–1832). The view by John & William Ridgway was based on a drawing by English artist George Isham Parkyns (ca. 1749–ca. 1820) engraved and published in London in 1802. The engraving was intended to be used on a certificate for medical students issued upon completion of their work at the Hospital. The American Wing’s collection contains additional pieces by John & William Ridgway. Refer to the Dictionary for a definition of the term "transfer printing" and for information about Ridgway and the other above-mentioned firms.
Artwork Details
- Title: Platter
- Maker: John & William Ridgway (British, Shelton, active ca. 1814–30)
- Date: ca. 1814–ca. 1830
- Geography: Made in Staffordshire, Stoke-on-Trent, England; Made in Staffordshire, Stoke-on-Trent, England
- Culture: British (American market)
- Medium: Earthenware, transfer-printed
- Dimensions: 14 1/8 x 18 1/2 in. (35.9 x 47 cm)
- Credit Line: Bequest of Mary Mandeville Johnston, from the collection of Mr. and Mrs. Edward W. S. Johnston, 1914
- Object Number: 14.102.138
- Curatorial Department: The American Wing
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John & William Ridgway (British, Shelton, active ca. 1814–30)
ca. 1814–30
John & William Ridgway (British, Shelton, active ca. 1814–30)
ca. 1814–ca. 1830
John & William Ridgway (British, Shelton, active ca. 1814–30)
ca. 1830
James and Ralph Clews (British, Cobridge, Stoke-on-Trent, active ca. 1818–36)
ca. 1825–ca. 1834
James and Ralph Clews (British, Cobridge, Stoke-on-Trent, active ca. 1818–36)
ca. 1825–ca. 1834
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