Tucker China Factory
Teacup and Saucer

Public Domain

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Maker Tucker China Factory(American, active 1826–1838)American, active 1826–1838

CultureAmerican

Titles

Teacup and Saucer

Datec. 1837

Made inPhiladelphia, Pennsylvania, United States

MediumHard-paste porcelain with enamel and gilding

DimensionsTeacup: 2 13/16 × 4 7/16 × 3 11/16 in. (7.1 × 11.3 × 9.4 cm)
Saucer: 1 1/8 × 5 11/16 in. (2.9 × 14.5 cm)

Credit LineThe Bayou Bend Collection, gift of Jesse Goldberg, Artemis Gallery

Object numberB.2021.8.1,.2

Current Location

Bayou Bend Collection and Gardens

Chillman Parlor

Exposé

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Department

Bayou Bend

Object Type

CERAMICS

DescriptionWilliam Ellis Tucker, founder of Tucker China Factory in Philadelphia, was one of the earliest producers of hard paste porcelain in the United States. As most porcelain was imported from Europe at this time, Tucker employed French style in his designs to align with prevailing tastes. Many wealthy families in Pennsylvania and surrounding areas commissioned custom Tucker objects, often supplementing French floral forms with initials, monograms, medallions, or armorial motifs. This teacup and saucer are inscribed “Mary T. Haig / 1837.” The inscription may commemorate a young girl, Mary T. Haig, who passed at the age of three in 1837. She is buried at Ronaldson Cemetery in Philadelphia alongside family members, including Thomas Haig Sr. (1772–1831), a Scottish potter who produced red, brown, and black earthenware in Philadelphia. While it is possible that the Tucker and Haig potting families were connected commercially or socially, it is likely that the Haig family was acting according to fashion by commissioning a fine Tucker China Factory object in Mary’s memory.
Provenance[Jesse Goldberg, Artemis Gallery, North Salem, New York]; given to MFAH, 2021.
Inscriptions, Signatures and Marks

Inscribed in gilt: Mary T. Haig / 1837

[none]

[no marks]

Cataloguing data may change with further research.

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