Cup Plate 1827 - 1867

This cup plate was made by William Adams & Sons in the 19th century. It is a fascinating example of transferware, a type of pottery decorated by transferring a print onto the ceramic body. This image speaks to the rise of industrialization in England and its global reach. Transferware allowed for mass production of decorative objects, making them accessible to a wider audience. The design, depicting a chariot scene, reflects a romanticized view of exotic lands and ancient civilizations, popular in European culture. This imagery reinforced Britain’s sense of its own cultural and technological superiority. Scholarly research into the company records, pattern books, and trade catalogs of William Adams & Sons sheds light on the production, distribution, and consumption of these objects. These resources are invaluable for understanding the cultural values embedded in what might otherwise seem like a simple, decorative item.