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Gravy Boat with an Arctic Landscape

Manufacturer
CultureEnglish
Daten.d
MediumEarthenware with grey transfer print from the “Arctic Scenery” series, inspired by William Parry (1790–1855), Journal of a Second Voyage of the Discovery of a Northwest Passage, 1824
DimensionsOverall: 4 5/16 × 7 5/16 × 3 7/16 in. (11 × 18.6 × 8.8 cm)
MarkingsTransfer printed Arctic Scenery on an igloo against a glacier, flanked by harpoons and a standing figure
DescriptionGravy boat with a a grey transfer-print rom the "Arctic Scenery" series. Image depicts landscape with fishing, igloos and figures in a boat

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 numberG13.15.47
Classifications
European Ceramics
Sub-classification
English Earthenware
Status
On view
Plate with an Arctic Landscape
Artist / Maker: Unknown Artist
c.1840
Object number: G13.15.46
Plate with Arctic Landscape
Artist / Maker: Unknown Artist
c. 1840
Object number: G13.15.48
Plate with William Parry’s Ships Hecla and Griper at Melville Sound
Artist / Maker: Unknown Artist
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Object number: G13.15.45
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Artist / Maker: Unknown Artist
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Object number: G13.15.44
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Artist / Maker: J. and T. Edwards
1841-1851
Object number: G13.15.21
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Artist / Maker: J. and T. Edwards
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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
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.
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Object number: G13.15.16
Plate with a View of Navy Island (from British America series)
Artist / Maker: Podmore, Walker and Co.
1842-1859
Object number: G13.15.15