Plate
PeriodCirca 1840
Place MadeEngland
MediumWhite earthenware
Dimensions0.75 × 5.88 in. (1.9 × 14.9 cm)
ClassificationsEarthenware
Credit LineGift of J. B. Morris, 1957
Object number1979.501.242
DescriptionA small white earthenware circular plate, with molded rim and shallow base rim. The plate features a bright blue transfer print in the center depicting two men working in a smithy or blacksmith's shop, with the motto "He that hath an estate / At the working man's house hunger looks in but dares not enter / Industry pays debts, while despair meraseth them." The plate border is ornamented with hand-painted brightly colored dabs and wisps of apple green, cherry red, yellow, and bright blue. The rim of the plate is edged with a narrow band of lilac lustre glaze.Curatorial RemarksSmall plates featuring simple illustrations accompanied by direct moral sayings were highly popular as children's gifts from the late 18th century well into the 19th century. This particular plate urges its small owner to remember that hard work will be rewarded, while laziness and despair will only increase one's debts and troubles. This also reflects a larger belief, rooted in Medieval law, that debtors and those who ended up owing money and in debtor's prison had no one to blame but themselves. Debt and financial failure was generally looked upon as a moral or personal fault of the debtor. Plates and other ceramics with illustrations of this nature often provide interesting details of clothing and accessories of working class men and women. In this little plate, a close examination of the central picture reveals the blacksmiths wearing two different styles of work aprons, rolled up sleeves, long pants known at that time as trousers or trowsers, heavy shoes, hats, and rather baggy waistcoats or vests.
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