James Beech
Tray

MakerEnglish, 1770–1854
MakerEnglish, 1823–1852
MakerEnglish, 1828–1900
CultureEnglish
Titles
  • Tray
  • from the "Texian Campaigne" pattern
Datec. 1837–1856
Possible placeTunstall, England
Possible placeBurslem, England
MediumLead-glazed earthenware with transfer print
Dimensions1 5/8 × 11 1/8 × 10 1/4 in. (4.1 × 28.3 × 26 cm)
Credit LineThe Bayou Bend Collection, museum purchase funded by the estate of Eleanor S. McCollum
Object numberB.2008.3
Current Location
Bayou Bend Collection and Gardens
Texas Room
On view

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.


Provenance Research Ongoing Inscriptions, Signatures and Marks
Marked in blue ink on the underside: "Made by / A. SHAW - TEXIAN / CAMPAIGN PATTERN / CIRCA 1850 / PROBABLY TO COMMEMORATE / SILVER JUBILEE OF TEXAS ... " (remaining text absorbed into the crazing in the glaze)
No visible initials
Stamped in black on the underside: "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.

Serving Dish
James Beech
c. 1837–1844
Lead-glazed earthenware with transfer print
B.2010.16
Dinner Plate
James Beech
c. 1837–1844
Lead-glazed earthenware with transfer print
B.58.173
Plate
James Beech
c. 1837–1844
Lead-glazed earthenware with transfer print
B.61.12
Saucer
James Beech
c. 1834–1844
Lead-glazed earthenware with transfer print
B.2008.4
Pitcher
James Beech
c. 1837–1856
Lead-glazed earthenware with transfer print
B.91.38
Under Tray
James Beech
c. 1834–1844
Lead-glazed earthenware with transfer print
B.2003.11
Under Tray
James Beech
c. 1837–1844
Lead-glazed earthenware with transfer print
B.69.172.2
Under Tray
James Beech
c. 1834–1844
Lead-glazed earthenware with transfer print
B.2009.30
Dinner Plate
Charles James Mason & Co.
c. 1835–1840
Lead-glazed earthenware with transfer print
B.2005.4
Bowl
James Beech
c. 1837–1856
Lead-glazed earthenware with transfer print
B.92.17
Dinner Plate
James Beech
c. 1837–1844
Lead-glazed earthenware with transfer print
B.69.300
Dinner Plate
James Beech
c. 1834–1844
Lead-glazed earthenware with transfer print
B.2009.41