Images(2)

Salad dish

Date1758-1762

Maker Bow Porcelain Manufactory (1749-1776)

OriginEngland, London

MediumPorcelain, soft-paste with blue

DimensionsOverall: 7 1/2in. (19.1cm)

Credit LineMuseum Purchase, Wesley and Elise H. Wright in memory of Mr. and Mrs. Henry Clay Hofheimer II and in honor of John C. Austin

Object number2006-127

DescriptionSquare salad dish decorated in underglaze blue with a powder ground. The center with a circular medallion of a pagoda on a wooded river island with a further island to the left and a sampan between, surrounded by four fan-shaped and four circular medallions of river islands and flower-sprays. On the reverse the rim of the plate is decorated with four seaweed-like tendrils. Marked in underglaze blue on the reverse with pseudo-Chinese characters.
Label TextThe Bow Porcelain Manufactory is one of the English porcelain factories whose wares were definitely owned and used in an American context. Shards of wares attributed to the Bow Manufactory have been uncovered archaeologically in Williamsburg. Additionally, the factory placed advertisements for their products in American newspapers. This dish, decorated in underglaze blue with a powder ground and reserves was an important product line for Bow. The technique involved sprinkling pigment onto the body with the reserves covered. Powder ground decoration was done in imitation of Chinese wares.
MarkingsMarked in underglaze blue on the reverse with pseudo-Chinese characters.
ProvenancePurchased from Shaeffer's Antiques in Glyndon, Maryland.