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“Pompano” Fish Plate
Public Domain

Theodore Russell Davis and Haviland & Co.

“Pompano” Fish Plate

1878

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“Pompano” Fish Plate

1878

Physical Qualities Porcelain, enamel, gilt, 8 1/4 in. (21 cm.)
Credit Line Gift of Frederica Kolker Saxon, Baltimore, in Memory of Irving and Rosa Kolker
Object Number 1999.140
"Pompano" fish plate is a design from the Rutherford B. Hayes Presidential Porcelain Service. Porcelain with enamels and gilt decoration. The colors were applied using chromolithographic and decalcomania processes. Afterwards, decorators painted the plate with enamel colors to add shading and to enhance the design. Finally, the edges were gilt. The plate is round with rippled and scalloped edges, and the lower half of the plate is molded in the shape of an open half scallop shell. The design features a large pompano that has been dropped on the beach by a fish-hawk that couldn’t quite carry the weight. The image is painted in warm tones with reds, oranges, greens and yellows, reflecting the sunset seen on the horizon.
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
Benskin, Elizabeth, and Suzy Wolffe. Teacher's Guide to the American Collection. Baltimore, MD: Baltimore Museum of Art, 2014, pages 56 and 65.

Inscribed: None

Markings: UNDERNEATH, (painted), 'FABRIQUE PAR/HAVILAND & Co./d'apres les dessins/DE(red paint)/Theo. R. Davis(black paint)/ H&Co(underlined, all in green paint)/DESIGN PATENTED/AUGUST 10th 1880/No 11935(blue paint)'

Designer

Theodore Russell Davis

Boston, MA 1840-1894 Asbury Park, NJ
Meet Theodore Russell Davis

Manufacturer

Haviland & Co.

Limoges, France 1842-present
Meet Haviland & Co.

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