Set of four plates 1800 - 1900

This is one of a set of four plates made by Spode Limited, each bearing the likeness of a prominent American figure. Here, we see Benjamin Franklin, the quintessential symbol of American ingenuity. The leaves and berries encircling his portrait evoke a sense of abundance and the natural world, a nod to America as a new Eden. In ancient Greece, wreaths of leaves and berries signified victory and honor, thus elevating Franklin to almost god-like status. Consider how, in Roman times, laurel wreaths crowned emperors, a motif resurrected during the Renaissance to celebrate intellectual and artistic achievement. This echoes the symbolic weight of Franklin’s image here. His calm demeanor, reminiscent of a Roman bust, projects wisdom and statesmanship. It's a powerful image, tapping into our collective memory and the deep-seated human desire for wise leadership. The image of Franklin has resurfaced, evolved, and taken on new meanings in different historical contexts. It's not simply a portrait, but a cultural touchstone, an ongoing negotiation between past ideals and present aspirations.