Six Designs for Decorated Plates 1845 - 1855

Alfred Henry Forrester created these six designs for decorated plates sometime in the 19th century. These watercolor sketches represent more than mere decoration; they offer a glimpse into the social aspirations of the Victorian middle class. Consider the cultural context: industrialization had created a new class with disposable income and a desire for refinement. The production of ceramics was becoming increasingly industrialized, but this also generated a market for luxury goods, where hand-painted designs could set one apart. The designs themselves, with their classical motifs and vibrant colors, draw on a visual vocabulary of wealth and taste. Note the institutional history too. Museums like the South Kensington Museum, now the Victoria and Albert, played a crucial role in shaping design standards, seeking to elevate public taste through the display of exemplary artworks. Studying these designs, in conjunction with historical trade catalogs and museum archives, allows us to understand the complex interplay between art, industry, and social class in 19th-century Britain.