Gift Cup
PeriodCirca 1810 - 1820
Place MadeEngland
MediumWhite earthenware
Dimensions2.38 × 2.5 in. (6 × 6.4 cm)
InscribedA handwritten label is glued to the underside "1623/J. B. Morris Jr."
ClassificationsEarthenware
Credit LineGift of Mr. J. B. Morris, Jr., 1957
Object number1979.501.148
DescriptionA child's gift cup of white earthenware, cylindrical with an applied handle. The cup is decorated with a black transfer print of two women and two little girls in a bucolic setting of trees, grass and flowers, all of which are highlighted with blobs of hand-painted color, and the motto "For M[y] Dear Girl." A narrow band of pink luster glaze encircles the cup's rim.Curatorial RemarksBy the early nineteenth century, child-related consumer goods experienced a surge in both availability and popularity. The ceramics centers of England produced a wide variety of child-sized cups, plates, and related objects. Gift cups were particularly popular. these small-sized vessels, sized for little hands, were relatively simple and featured transfer prints of animals, pretty scenes, alphabets, and uplifting sentiments. Many were personalized with common children's names such as Ann, William, Nancy, and Robert. Luster glaze striping, highlighting, and banding provided additional decoration. In some instances, hand-painted blobs of color were added after the initial transfer print was applied. The invention of and improvements upon the process of transfer printing provided an inexpensive and easily duplicated method of applying decoration to initial glazed ceramic wares. A steel plate was engraved with design or image, then inked. Damp tissue paper was then laid atop the plate, then run through a press. The tissue was then trimmed and applied to the surface of the green-fired clay body, and rubbed to ensure ink transfer. After the tissue was removed, the ceramic vessel was fired again to fix the image. Many inexpensive transfer ware pieces include small areas where the tissue paper creased or the ink did not fully transfer to the clay.
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