Platter, Old Ironsides

Title

Platter, Old Ironsides

Date

ca. 1938

Medium

Glazed earthenware

Classification

Ceramic

Dimensions

2 x 19 x 15 5/8 in. (5.1 x 48.3 x 39.7 cm)

Signatures

On front: designer of print, in brown transfer: "George C. Wales 1938"

Markings

Reverse, off center in circular cartouche in brown transfer: " WEDGWOOD OF ETRURIA & BARLASTON/ MADE IN ENGLAND/ CONSTITUTION AND JAVA/ [stork?] A C/GEORGE C. WALES/des.et.del./1938"; at center in brown transfer: "H.M.S JAVA (FORMERLY THE FRENCH FRIGATE LA RENOMMEE) COMMANDED BY/ CAPTAIN HENRY LAMBERT. MET THE U.S. FRIGATE CONSTITUTION, COMMODORE/ WILLIAM BAINBRIDGE COMMANDING, ON THE 29TH OF DECENBER 1812 OFF THE /COAST OF BRAZIL IN LIGHT AIRS AND A SMOOTH SEA. / AN ACTION OF OVER TWO HOURS FOLLOWED, BOTH SHIPS MANEUVERING CONSTANTLY/FOR A RAKING POSITION; TOWARDS THE END THE JAVA BEING ALMOST DISMASTED/ AND UNMANAGEABLE, THE CONSTITUTION HALUED OFF TO MAKE REPAIRS TO/HER BADLY CUT RIGGING. THIS IS THE MOMENT CHOSEN FOR THE PICTURE. / THE JAVA SURRENDERED ON THE RETURN OF THE CONSTITUTION, / AND WAS BLOWN UP THE NEXT DAY AFTER THE TRANSFER OF HER PEOPLE. / COMPILED FROM THE OFFICIAL REPORTS/ OF COMMODORE BAINBRIDGE U.S.N. AND LIEUTENANT CHADS R.N."

Credit Line

Gift of Jason and Susanna Berger

Accession Number

1999.103.31