Plate 1800 - 1825

This plate was made by the Montereau Pottery, but the date of production is unknown. It's earthenware, made from clay fired at a relatively low temperature, and decorated with an intriguing monochrome transfer print. The technique used to decorate this plate, transferware, speaks volumes about the industrialization of ceramics. The design was first engraved on a copper plate, then printed onto paper, which was then carefully applied to the pottery surface. The print was then transferred to the plate using heat. This allowed for detailed imagery to be applied quickly and consistently, reflecting the rise of mass production. Notice the scene depicted; it has a narrative quality, almost like a printed illustration. Transferware like this made art accessible to a broader audience, turning everyday objects into canvases for storytelling. The plate is a reminder that even the most humble objects can carry rich cultural and social meaning. The techniques used in its creation democratized art, bringing imagery once reserved for the elite into ordinary homes.