Set of six Merryman Plates

Public Domain

En lire plusFavori

Maker Unknown

CultureEnglish or Dutch

Titles

Set of six Merryman Plates

Datec. 1680–1700

Possible placeLondon, England

Possible placeDelft, Netherlands

MediumTin-glazed earthenware (delftware)

DimensionsEach: 1 × 8 × 8 in. (2.5 × 20.3 × 20.3 cm)

Credit LineThe Bayou Bend Collection, gift of Miss Ima Hogg

Object numberB.59.27.1-.6

Current Location

Bayou Bend Collection and Gardens

Murphy Room

Exposé

Explore Further

Department

Bayou Bend

Special Collections

Ceramics from the Bayou Bend Collection

Object Type

CERAMICS

DescriptionSeemingly, the most popular of verses used as inscriptions on early delftware, the “merry man” rhyme on this set of six plates finds humor in the marriage relationship and frames it in the context of domestic conviviality, which in turn would require tablewares such as plates and glasses. Such sets were produced from the late seventeenth century to the mid-eighteenth century and seem to have been most popular from about 1715 to 1745. The form and decoration of Bayou Bend’s set point to an earlier date, and the unusual spellings and diacritical markings suggest a Dutch decorator working in England or Dutch wares manufactured for export.
Provenance[D.M. & P. Manheim, New York]; purchased by Miss Ima Hogg, June 16, 1959; given to MFAH, by 1966.

View this object in Ceramics from the Bayou Bend Collection

Cataloguing data may change with further research.

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