Object Record
Images
Metadata
Catalog Number |
2020.FIC.092 |
Object Name |
Platter |
Title |
Mercer Pottery Company Pink and Yellow Floral Platter |
Description |
This white oval-shaped platter features a gold rim and a floral pattern on the top. The pattern is framed by dark blue lines at the top and bottom, each containing blue circles. Inside these lines, a series of pink and white flowers with purple branching stems sit against a light pink background. This floral design is interrupted five times by clusters of purple and light blue flowers, accompanied by green leaves and set against a yellow background. A dark blue, curvy line separates these two sections of the pattern. Around the rim of the base, there is another gold circle. The front of the platter is gently caved in, while the back is slightly elevated. A subtle rim separates the base from the rest of the back. At the center of the base, there is a green Mercer County Pottery symbol. The symbol features a shield with a crown on top, and a sash running down the front with the word "MERCER" inscribed on it. On either side of the sash, two plus signs are displayed. Beneath the logo, a gold inscription reads, "M.A.R.C.H 15th 1924." According to Edwin Atlee of the Trenton Historical Society, the Potteries of Trenton Society, and the book Mains and Fitzgerald's Trenton, Chambersburg, and Millham Directory, Mercer Pottery operated in Trenton from around 1865 or 1868 until either the 1930s or 1946. By 1875, James Moses owned the company and claimed to have developed the first semi-porcelain ware in the United States. Citations: Barber, E. A. (n.d.). Marks of American potters. Trenton Historical Society, New Jersey. https://www.trentonhistory.org/Made/Marks.html Mains, Bishop W. and Thomas F. Fitzgerald. 1877-1879. Mains and Fitzgerald’s Trenton, Chambersburg and Millham Directory: Containing the Names of the Citizens, Statistical Business Report, Historical Sketches, a List of the Public and Private Institutions, Together with National, State, County, and City Government. Bishop W. Mains & Thomas F. Fitzgerald, Trenton, New Jersey. Mercer Pottery. Potteries of Trenton Society. (n.d.-c). https://potteriesoftrentonsociety.org/research/records/mercer-pottery-2/ |
Date |
March 15th, 1924 |
Material |
Ceramic |
Artist |
Mercer Pottery Company |
Height (in) |
11.250 |
Length (in) |
15.000 |
Condition |
Good |
Condition Notes |
Overall: Accretions, abrasions, and paint cracking throughout Front: There are abrasions all over the base of the plate. There are multiple brown accretions on the top near the middle. There are multiple brown accretions on the bottom near the middle. And finally, there is slight paint cracking all over the plate. Back: There is wear all around the inner rim. There is an abrasion on top near the middle. There is an abrasion on the bottom near the left edge. There is an abrasion on the bottom near the right edge. And finally, there is slight paint cracking all over the plate. |
Inscription Type |
Manufacturer's Mark |
Inscription Location |
Back, Top, Middle |
Inscription Technique |
Stamped |
Inscription Text |
"MERCER" Line 1 "M.A.R.C.H" Line 2 "15th 1924" Line 3 |
People |
James Moses |
Classification |
Domestic Life/Household Goods Business & Commerce |
Subjects |
Ceramic Industry Flowers Food Plants Plant parts |
Search Terms |
John Moses Flowers White 1924 20th Century March Ceramic Plants 20th Century Purple Blue Yellow Pink Ceramic Platter Mercer Pottery Company Shield Crown Green Trenton New Jersey Mercer Pottery Company Pink and Yellow Floral Platter |
Provenance |
Found in collection |