John & William Ridgway
Gravy Tureen

Public Domain

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Maker John & William Ridgway (English, active 1813–1830)English, active 1813–1830

CultureEnglish

Titles

Gravy Tureen

Datec. 1828–1830

Place depictedCharleston, South Carolina, United States

Made inShelton, England

MediumLead-glazed earthenware with transfer print

Dimensions7 × 8 in. (17.8 × 20.3 cm)

Credit LineThe Bayou Bend Collection, gift of Miss Ima Hogg

Object numberB.60.85.A,.B

Current Location

Bayou Bend Collection and Gardens

Kilroy Center

On view

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Department

Bayou Bend

Object Type

CERAMICS

DescriptionAfter the end of the War of 1812, English potters were eager to resume trade with the United States, producing wares that celebrated American heroes and victories. In the 1820s, pottery printed in blue with a range of American scenic and architectural views, as well as historical events and images of political and military figures became popular. Most of the images were copied from contemporary prints. A century later, American collectors, like Bayou Bend’s Miss Ima Hogg, eagerly sought the same pottery. This small tureen features views of three buildings: the Savannah, Georgia, branch of the Bank of the United States, designed by British-born architect William Jay; the Charleston Exchange building designed by Irish-born architect William Rigby Naylor; and the Boston Asylum for the Insane, as it was then called, which had its origins with a residence designed by Charles Bulfinch.
Provenance[Louis Lyons, New York]; purchased by Miss Ima Hogg, November 16, 1960; given to MFAH, by 1966.
Inscriptions, Signatures and Marks

Body (.A) is marked on the base of the bowl: BANK SAVANNAH / EXCHANGE CHARLESTON
Lid (.B) is marked on the interior: INSANE HOSPITAL BOSTON

Cataloguing data may change with further research.

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