Plate (part of a set of six) 1785 - 1795

This tin-glazed earthenware plate is one of a set of six made in the late 18th century by John Turner. Turner worked in Lane End, Staffordshire, which was a hub of English ceramics production. These plates feature hand-painted scenes, each with a different Dutch inscription. This one says 'Zyn Afscheid,' or 'his farewell'. It depicts a man in a green coat, bidding adieu to another, as a horse and attendant wait nearby. The figures' refined clothing and posture suggest a narrative of class and status. Though seemingly a sentimental scene, the plate exists within the context of burgeoning industrialization and global trade networks. Raw materials and artistic styles were exchanged globally, influencing the images we see here. As you observe this scene of farewell, consider how class, global exchange, and personal emotion intermingle on this humble domestic object.