James Beech
Mug

CultureEnglish
Titles
  • Mug
  • from the "Texian Campaigne" pattern
Datec. 1837–1856
Possible placeBurslem, England
Retailed inValparaiso, Chile
Possible placeTunstall, England
MediumLead-glazed earthenware with transfer print
Dimensions5 1/4 × 6 × 4 1/4 in. (13.3 × 15.2 × 10.8 cm)
Credit LineThe Bayou Bend Collection, gift of Mrs. Joe G. Rollins in honor of Michael K. Brown
Object numberB.2004.40
Current Location
Bayou Bend Collection and Gardens
Kilroy Center
On view

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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).

This mug bears the mark of Vives & Co., a retailer from Valparaiso, Chile. It is known that Thomas Walker shipped a number of wares for sale in South America.

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.


Provenance Research Ongoing Inscriptions, Signatures and Marks
Stamped on the underside flanked by leopards: VIVES / & Co. / VALPARAISO / 1

Cataloguing data may change with further research.

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

Soup Plate
James Beech
c. 1834–1844
Lead-glazed earthenware with transfer print
B.2004.9
Tureen
James Beech
c. 1837–1844
Lead-glazed earthenware with transfer print
B.69.340.A,.B
Leaf-shaped Dish
James Beech
c. 1837–1856
Lead-glazed earthenware with transfer print
B.69.339
Dinner Plate
James Beech
c. 1834–1844
Lead-glazed earthenware with transfer print
B.2009.32
Dinner Plate
James Beech
c. 1834–1844
Lead-glazed earthenware with transfer print
B.2009.43
Platter
James Beech
c. 1837–1844
Lead-glazed earthenware with transfer print
B.69.307
Platter
James Beech
c. 1837–1844
Lead-glazed earthenware with transfer print
B.69.308
Platter
James Beech
c. 1837–1844
Lead-glazed earthenware with transfer print
B.61.74
Platter
James Beech
c. 1837–1844
Lead-glazed earthenware with transfer print
B.69.303
Sauce Tureen
James Beech
c. 1837–1844
Lead-glazed earthenware with transfer print
B.69.397.A,.B
Ladle
James Beech
c. 1837–1844
Lead-glazed earthenware with transfer print
B.69.398
Plate
James Beech
c. 1837–1844
Lead-glazed earthenware with transfer print
B.69.329.2