James Beech
Cup Plate

CultureEnglish
Titles
  • Cup Plate
  • from the "Texian Campaigne" pattern
Datec. 1837–1856
Possible placeBurslem, England
Possible placeTunstall, England
MediumLead-glazed earthenware with transfer print
Dimensions1/4 × 3 7/8 in. diameter (0.6 × 9.8 cm)
Credit LineThe Bayou Bend Collection, museum purchase funded by Martha and Herbert Mills
Object numberB.2009.5
Current Location
Bayou Bend Collection and Gardens
Texas Room
Exposé

Explore Further

Department
Bayou Bend
Object Type
Description

In Staffordshire, England, the pattern called “Texian Campaigne” was first produced about 1837 by potter James Beech (active 1834–44) in response to the Texas Revolution (1835–36). Two other makers continued to produce the pattern through the years of Mexican-American War of 1846 to 1848 and beyond. This china bears the marks for Thomas Walker (active 1844–52) and later Anthony Shaw (active 1853–c. 1856).

Texian Campaigne china shows romanticized images of these two wars. The Staffordshire potteries maintained an extensive archive of transfer prints. In fact, the border patterns that appear on the ware are believed to have been adapted from the pattern “Napoleon” by the potter Charles James Mason, depicting scenes of the Napoleonic campaigns (B.2005.4). Transfer colors on Texian Campaigne were offered in brown, red, green, purple, black, and blue. The designs were applied to a multitude of forms, including plates, platters, teacups, saucers, pitchers, and even barber bowls. During her lifetime, Miss Ima Hogg assembled an extensive collection of Texian Campaigne china of more than 125 pieces.

The cup plate, an unusual form, came into common use during the first half of the 19th century in the United States. Because tea and coffee were often served too hot, ladies would pour it into a saucer to cool off and then sip from the saucer. Used as coasters for cups, cup plates protected tablecloths and furniture from ring marks. The form is a unique American invention, as manners in England forbade the “slurping” of cooled drinks from saucers. Nonetheless, the English Staffordshire potteries had profited by producing large numbers for export.


Provenance[Dennis and Dad Antiques, Fitzwilliam, New Hampshire]; purchased by MFAH, 2009.
Inscriptions, Signatures and Marks
Inscribed in black ink on paper sticker, underside: 09357 / Brown / C/P / ACIIIT / EADIT
Illegible inscription in red ink, underside.
Partial black lettering, underside.

Cataloguing data may change with further research.

If you have questions about this work of art or the MFAH Online Collection please contact us.

Cup
James Beech
c. 1837–1844
Lead-glazed earthenware with transfer print
B.61.39.1
Plate
James Beech
c. 1834–1844
Lead-glazed earthenware with transfer print
B.2009.19
Plate
James Beech
c. 1834–1844
Lead-glazed earthenware with transfer print
B.2009.20
Dinner Plate
James Beech
c. 1834–1844
Lead-glazed earthenware with transfer print
B.2009.21
Plate
James Beech
c. 1837–1844
Lead-glazed earthenware with transfer print
B.69.328
Dinner Plate
James Beech
c. 1837–1844
Lead-glazed earthenware with transfer print
B.59.62
Punch Cup
James Beech
c. 1837–1856
Lead-glazed earthenware with transfer print
B.2002.31
Cup
James Beech
c. 1837–1844
Lead-glazed earthenware with transfer print
B.69.325.1
Cup
James Beech
c. 1837–1844
Lead-glazed earthenware with transfer print
B.69.325.9
Cup
James Beech
c. 1837–1844
Lead-glazed earthenware with transfer print
B.69.325.7
Cup
James Beech
c. 1837–1844
Lead-glazed earthenware with transfer print
B.69.325.5
Cup
James Beech
c. 1837–1844
Lead-glazed earthenware with transfer print
B.69.325.3