Transferware Database of Patterns and Sources

Pattern #4864

Pattern Name: Roman #01

Center Pattern Border

Alternate Names: Greek Pattern, Kirk Series

Category: Literature and the Performing Arts / Mythology

Border: Miscellaneous / Classical themes / Decorative panels

Additional Information:

Plate, 9.5 inches. Two sections of the border are shown. Priestman2001, pp. 114-119, identifies a series of patterns on tablewares that Minton was producing by 1810, based on the engravings of Thomas Kirk that had been used to illustrate a catalogue of the collection of ancient Greek, Roman and Etruscan vases that had been put together by the British diplomat Sir William Hamilton in the latter half of the 18thC. Minton called them the Roman patterns, though the characters portrayed were not all Roman nor were the vases from which the drawings were taken all of Roman origin. The patterns have also been referred to as the Kirk series, after the artist and engraver. The pattern shown here is based on plate 54 in Kirk1804. The pattern and the source print are illustrated on p. 117 of Priestman2001, but no indication is given of what the scene represents. A circular cartouche containing various freemasonry symbols has been added to the central design, suggesting that the plate may have been part of a special order from Freemasons' Lodge. See also CoyshHenrywood1989, pp120-121, for a description of this series (here named Kirk series)and illustrations, including one of this pattern. Moore2010, pp. 120-121, illustrates the Kirk drawing and one from Tischbein, pl. 9, Vol. I in connection with a Spode pattern called 'Apollo Seated on a Winged Chair". See Greek #24, pattern #8087 by © 2005-2021 TRANSFERWARE COLLECTORS CLUB. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. • PRIVACY • CREDITS Created on 2021-10-01 / Page 1 of 3 Transferware Database of Patterns and Sources

Spode in this database for more information.

Body Type: Earthenware

Print Process: Underglaze Tissue Printed

Color: Blue

Maker: Minton 1793–1873 Stoke-on-Trent Staffordshire

References: An Illustrated Guide to Minton Printed Pottery 1796-1836 Priestman, Geoffrey H. Sheffield, UK, Endcliffe Press, 2001 The Dictionary of Blue and White Printed Pottery 1780-1880 Vol. II Coysh, A. W. and Henrywood, R. K. Woodbridge, Suffolk, Baron Publishing, 1989 Outlines from the figures and compositions upon the Greek Roman and Etruscan vases of the late Sir William Hamilton Kirk, engraver London, Bulmer & Co., 1804 Spode Greek Moore, Nicholas U.K., Nicholas Moore Publishing, 2010

Additional

Print Sources:

Apollo Searted on a Winged Chair Artist: Kirk