Maker: Hamilton  Pattern: Canton River

Thomas Wolfe was one of the pioneers of blue printing on earthenwares and in 1800 he took into partnership, his son-in-law Robert Hamilton. In 1811 Robert Hamilton left and set up on his own. He had learnt well and proceeded to produce quality blue printed wares until 1826.
In 1785 Thomas & William Daniell had set off on a voyage to India and China that would last almost 10 years and on their return to England they published in 1810 their book of narrative and engravings "Picturesque Voyage to India by the way of China".
It was Robert Hamilton of Stoke, who produced this design, which is usually known today as Canton River, but also as Canton River Scene, Sampan and Chinese Junk & Pagodas. It is a composite view taken from Daniells' book and elsewhere. The right hand side of the scene is from Plate 23, which is entitled Hotun on the Canton River and the river craft is from Plate 32 South West View of Canton. The source of the remainder of the design and the vignettes is unknown.
Canton was the first and, except for Macao, the only Chinese port open for foreign trade before 1842. Canton would be known to or least imagined by many in the Staffordshire pottery trade.
The glaze is crazed and this has taken up a little associated staining here and there, but overall this plate is bright and clean and there is no damage. There is no maker's backstamp but there is a blue printed 6, which is typical of Hamilton. Examples of dinnerware and teaware in this design are known with an impressed Hamilton backstamp.
A genuine example of Staffordshire and Chinese history combined on a plate.

Dimensions: 25 cm / 9.75 ins