College of Medicine of Maryland

1813-1840

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Unidentified

College of Medicine of Maryland

1813-1840

Physical Qualities Lead-glazed earthenware, transfer-printed in cobalt blue, 2 3/8 x 3 1/2 in. (6 x 8.9 cm.)

Credit Line Bequest of George C. Jenkins

Object Number 1930.65.297

English blue-and-white transfer wares with American views--both rural and urban--found ready buyers in the United States during the mid- and late 19th century. The transfer process, invented by British potters, starts with an image engraved on a copper plate. The image is printed onto tissue paper, which is then pressed onto the ceramic surface while the ink is still wet. When the ceramic is fired, the image is fixed. Replacing laborious hand-painting, the transfer process allowed Britain to export vast quantities of decorated ceramics to the United States. Here, we present a few examples with images of Baltimore.

M. B. Munford, The Baltimore Museum of Art (Maryland State traveling exhibition), "Blue Staffordshire", circulated to Caroline County Public Library, Denton, September 1980; Notre Dame Preparatory, Towson, November-December 1980; Dorchester County Historical Society, Cambridge, January 1981; University of Maryland Eastern Shore, Princess Anne, February 1981; Western Maryland College, Westminster, May 1981; Worcester County Public Library, Snow Hill, May-June 1981; Essex Community College, Essex, June-July 1981; City Hall Museum, Salisbury, August 1981; White March Mall, White Marsh, October-December 1981.