Nine Designs for Decorated Plates

Samuel Alcock & Company, 1845

MEDIUMPen and ink, watercolor
DIMENSIONSsheet: 16 3/4 x 11 7/16 in. (42.5 x 29 cm)
LOCATIONThe Metropolitan Museum of Art

Step into the Victorian design studio with this sheet of nine plate designs by Samuel Alcock & Company, a leading ceramics manufacturer. It offers a rare look at the artistic process behind the beautiful tableware of the era, revealing the intricate patterns and thoughtful variations that went into each piece.

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ABOUT THIS WORK

This fascinating sheet from Samuel Alcock & Company, a prominent British ceramics manufacturer, offers a glimpse into the creative process behind Victorian tableware. Created around 1845, it presents nine distinct designs for decorated plates, showcasing the company's range of aesthetic styles. While we often see the finished porcelain, works like this reveal the meticulous planning and artistic skill involved in developing new patterns. Samuel Alcock & Company was known for its elaborate and often highly decorative wares, and this drawing, with its intricate details and varied motifs, demonstrates the company's commitment to diverse and visually appealing designs. The work is one of several similar design sheets by the company in the Metropolitan Museum of Art's collection, including studies for tureens and cups, highlighting their prolific output and focus on comprehensive dinnerware sets.

LOOK CLOSER

What to Notice

1

The delicate watercolor washes that bring the designs to life

2

The intricate floral and geometric patterns on each plate

3

The subtle differences in plate rim decoration

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Audio Deep Dive

Step into the Victorian design studio with this sheet of nine plate designs by Samuel Alcock & Company, a leading ceramics manufacturer. It offers a rare look…

Hear the full story in the app
THE ARTIST
Samuel Alcock & Company

Samuel Alcock & Company, a prominent British business, was renowned for its intricate ceramic designs, particularly elegant cups and tureens, in the mid-19th century.

Read Samuel's full story in Art Whisper
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