Name/Title
PlatterEntry/Object ID
2016.12.13Description
Large transfer print oval stoneware platter a wide gray-purple border and floral decals. The center contains a scene of flowers with an urn, vase, and leaves on a white ground border. The border has two red roses and two blue roses, as well as white leaves and vines along the edges. There is a maker's mark in purple on the bottom side edge.Context
Compared to earthenware and porcelain, stoneware is a much more durable and inexpensive form of ceramic. This platter is made of ironstone, a thinner form of stoneware, and was produced by George Wooliscroft of Staffordshire, England. The pottery was in operation for about six years, opening its doors briefly from 1851 until 1853, and then again from 1860 until 1864. This particular pattern, known as Excelsior, was extremely popular in the 19th century and seen on platters, urns, plates, sugar bowl, and other dining wares in various shades of blue, purple, and gray. This platter, and many other pieces by Wooliscroft, is twelve-sided.
Transferware pottery is pottery that had its design first etched into an engraving plate—commonly made of copper—stamped with ink onto a thin piece of special paper. That inked paper is then carefully pressed to the pottery where the paper is then removed, leaving the design behind on the piece, ready to be glazed and re-fired. Whereas previous designs were hand-painted, the transfer-printing method allows for the design to be mass produced at much quicker rate.