Physical Qualities
Porcelain, enamel, gilt, 8 3/4 in. (22.2 cm.)
Credit Line
Gift of Jonathan W. Kolker, Baltimore, in Memory of Irving and Rosa Kolker
Object Number
1999.135
Davis designed a small but elaborate version of the Victorian oyster plate, with trompe l’oeil (fool the eye) blue point oyster shells that could hold five fresh oysters. He furthered the illusion by including a ceramic “cluster of the raccoon oysters which are so well known in the Southern Atlantic States.”
The Baltimore Museum of Art by gift, 1999; Jonathan W. Kolker, Baltimore, MD by descent, 1980s; Irving Mason (1895-1957) and Rosa Jacobson Kolker (1907-1998), Baltimore, MD by purchase
Former Prov - check files
Estate of Evalyn Walsh McClean
Former Prov - check files
Estate of Evalyn Walsh McClean
Benskin, Elizabeth, and Suzy Wolffe. Teacher's Guide to the American Collection. Baltimore, MD: Baltimore Museum of Art, 2014, pages 55 and 62.
Inscribed: None
Markings: UNDERNEATH, (painted), 'FABRIQUE PAR/HAVILAND & Co./d'apres les dessins/DE (red)/Theo. R. Davis (black)/H&Co (underlined, all in green)/DESIGN PATENTED AUGUST 10th 1880 (blue)'
Designer
Theodore Russell Davis
1839–1893
Boston, MA 1840-1894 Asbury Park, NJ
Meet Theodore Russell Davis
On View at the BMA
