Seven Designs for Decorated Plates 1845 - 1855

These plate designs were made by Alfred Henry Forrester, likely in the mid-19th century, using pencil and watercolor on paper. They are not designs for industrial production, but rather, templates for the hand-decoration of ceramics. The delicacy of the watercolor medium lends itself well to the fine detail of the designs, and the paper support allows for easy transfer to the surface of a plate. Notice the repetition of motifs and patterns. This suggests a degree of standardization, even within a handcrafted approach. The visual language is of its time, with classical and floral motifs employed to elevate the everyday act of dining to one of refined gentility. The designs are of interest because they reflect the changing status of ceramics at the time, as industrialization allowed for mass production. The creation of this drawing would have required great skill. By giving careful attention to material and process we can see the importance of handcraft amidst the rise of industrial manufacturing.