Skip to main content

Cake plate from the "Arctic Scenery" series

Manufacturer
CultureEnglish
Datec.1840
MediumEarthenware with blue transfer print
DimensionsOverall: 2 7/8 × 11 11/16 in. (7.3 × 29.7 cm)
Markings"Arctic Scenery" backstamped on an igloo against a glacier, flanked by harpoons and a standing figure
DescriptionCake plate from the "Arctic Scenery" series with a view of a dog sled and two ships on the snow surronded by icy peaks. Rim is decorated with images of animals.

Arctic Scenery
The Arctic series represents “a glorious perversion of geography," as one 1844 writer describes them in reference to the tropical animal border decoration encircling wintery scenes of sledging, hunting and ice huts series. Though back stamped with a pattern name the pottery manufacturer remains unknown. The transfer prints on these pieces were adapted as composites from engravings of Edward Parry's Journal of a Voyage for the Discovery of a North-West Passage from the Atlantic to the Pacific published in 1821 and Journal of a Second Voyage for the Discovery of North-West Passage from the Atlantic to the Pacific, published in 1824. There were numerous printed illustrations of Arctic expeditions because Arctic explorers became heroes on both sides of the Atlantic but why Edward Parry’s journal was selected to be printed on tableware is unclear. The incongruous African animals around the border are from William Jardine’s The Naturalist’s Library, a series of colour illustrated booklets printed between 1833 - 43.

Credit LineThe Barbara and James Moscovich Collection of Canadian Historical China
Object numberG13.15.44
Classifications
European Ceramics
Sub-classification
English Earthenware
Status
Not on view
Plate with an Arctic Landscape
Artist / Maker: Unknown Artist
c.1840
Object number: G13.15.46
Plate with William Parry’s Ships Hecla and Griper at Melville Sound
Artist / Maker: Unknown Artist
c.1840
Object number: G13.15.45
Plate with Arctic Landscape
Artist / Maker: Unknown Artist
c. 1840
Object number: G13.15.48
Gravy Boat with an Arctic Landscape
Artist / Maker: Unknown Artist
n.d
Object number: G13.15.47
Ewer with a Gentleman’s Cabin on a Steamship
Artist / Maker: J. and T. Edwards
1841-1851
Object number: G13.15.21
Platter with View of Gentlemen's Cabin (from Boston Mails Series)
Artist / Maker: J. and T. Edwards
1841-1851
Object number: G13.15.20
Platter with a View of Halifax from Dartmouth
Artist / Maker: Podmore, Walker and Co.
1842-1859
Object number: G13.15.11
Sugar Bowl with the Village of Cedars, St. Lawrence River
Artist / Maker: Francis Morely and Co.
1845-1848
Object number: G13.15.29a-b
Basin with a View of Quebec (from British America series)
Artist / Maker: Podmore, Walker and Co.
1842-1859
Object number: G13.15.14
Soap dish with Indigenous scene on the St. Lawrence (from British America series)
Artist / Maker: Podmore, Walker and Co.
1845-1858
Object number: G13.15.16