Platter 1815 - 1834

This Platter, made by James and Ralph Clews around 1813, is earthenware enhanced with transfer printing. The process of transfer printing involved applying a design to paper, then transferring it onto the ceramic surface before firing. The result is a collectible plate, likely intended for display more than dining. The design includes symbolic figures and depictions of American states, all rendered in a carefully composed arrangement. This mode of production reflects early industrial practices, where decorative techniques like transfer printing enabled the mass production of ceramics. What’s interesting here is the democratization of design. Transfer printing allowed for complex imagery to be applied quickly and uniformly to many pieces, reducing the handwork, and upscaling production output. This points to the evolving relationship between industrial production, artistry, and the marketplace. It invites us to consider how decorative objects like this platter reflect the broader economic and cultural shifts of their time.