Gaudy Dutch cup in the carnation pattern

Abstract

Classification: T&E for Material, Food Service, cup. Materials and Techniques: Ceramic, White Bisque Earthenware or Pearlware, Imari/Cobalt blue underglaze/enamel overglaze. Description: Gaudy Dutch white bisque earthenware originates from Staffordshire, England which began to make works specifically for the American market. Wares that contained bold colors such as cobalt blue, apple green, rust red, and yellow were different from the typical blue and white dishes and were created specifically for the Pennsylvania "Dutch" or Pennsylvania German market, primarily farming households, located in Lancaster, Berks, Lehigh, Bucks and Dauphin counties in Pennsylvania. Gaudy Dutch has characteristics similar to earlier Staffordshire transfer wares. Pieces tend to be lightweight and delicate. Typically, one color was printed under the glaze and then other colors were applied on top of the glaze. Cups donnullt have handles and saucers are deep rather than flat. Gaudy Dutch is typically unmarked, which has been attributed by some to be indicative of Americanulls reluctance to buy English-made products after the Revolutionary War. Patterns were applied freehand and variation from one piece to another can be found. There are at least 10 patterns of Gaudy Dutch: carnation, oyster, butterfly, dove, war bonnet, single rose, sunflower, grape, urn, leaf.

Gaudy Dutch is a western adaptation of Chinese pottery that became popular in Japan and was known as Imari porcelain. Imari was located on the island of Kyushu and perfected a method of porcelain in the early 17th century during the late Momoyama/Early Edo period. Imari made plain white and then white with a cobalt blue underglaze. Imari pottery was typically decorated with oriental flowers that was changed to English-known flowers such as carnations, roses, and sunflowers for the Gaudy Dutch. Instead of gold, English potters used less expensive bold yellow. A small portion of pieces have been marked as Riley. Sources: http://www.basic-antiques.com/porcelain-dutch-dishes.htm http://www.brown.edu/Courses/AC0125/2005/Pages/Glossary.htm

Donor: From the Robert L. Schaeffer Jr. Collection donated to the college in 1987. It is said that Schaeffer (American 1918-2001), an avid collector of American folk art, often crossed paths with the Duponts. The collection largely represents a narrow geographic region consisting of Pennsylvania German objects and was accumulated over four decades. Piece acquired from Dr. Harold Hirsch in the 1940nulls.