Lettered title: Christy

This vibrant gouache design, titled "Christy," offers a glimpse into the creative process behind mid-19th century ceramics. The artwork depicts a woman's head in profile, her hair elegantly styled with a decorative comb, set against a rich, deep blue background. This is not a finished portrait but a working drawing, likely intended as a motif for a ceramic piece. The bold use of gouache, an opaque watercolor, allows for the strong, saturated colors and crisp lines visible here, mimicking the smooth, glazed surface of porcelain. It was created by Samuel Alcock & Company, a prominent Staffordshire pottery manufacturer known for its decorative wares. The piece reflects the era's taste for classical profiles and ornamental details, translating high art into accessible domestic objects.