Transferring Images

Unlike earlier hand painting, which was time consuming to produce, transfer printing permitted the same image to not only be replicated quickly but also to be scaled and modified to fit different contexts. An allegorical depiction of Hope, for instance, could be enhanced with colored enamel to honor sailors from the United States or from Sweden and easily formatted to fit on a pitcher, a plate or any other form.

Similarly, a ca. 1760 dish featuring a scene from Aesop's Fables, as well as transfer prints in three colors, suggests the variety of images and colors available as decorative possibilities. A ca. 1830s "sample plate" allowed shop owners and consumers to custom order specific colorways and designs.

Soup Plate, ca. 1830