“Chickens in a Garden” Dinner Plate - Image 1

“Chickens in a Garden” Dinner Plate - Image 2

Theodore Russell Davis and Haviland & Co.

“Chickens in a Garden” Dinner Plate

1878-1879

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Theodore Russell Davis and Haviland & Co.

Designer: Theodore Russell Davis
Manufacturer: Haviland & Co.

“Chickens in a Garden” Dinner Plate

1878-1879

Physical Qualities Porcelain, enamel, gilt, 9 1/8 × 9 1/8 × 1 in. (23.2 × 23.2 × 2.5 cm.)

Credit Line Gift of Jonathan W. Kolker, Baltimore, in Memory of Irving and Rosa Kolker

Object Number 2022.164

"Chickens in a Garden" dinner plate is a design from the Rutherford B. Hayes Presidential Porcelain Service. Porcelain with enamels and gilt decoration. The colors were applied using chromolithographic and decalcomania processes. Afterwards, decorators painted the plate with enamel colors to add shading and to enhance the design. Finally, the edges were gilt. The plate is a classic round shape. The richly-colored design features a young Shangai chicken feasting upon tomatoes at the peak of the summer season. Two game chickens behind him seem unable to reach the juicy, sun-ripened fruit.

The Baltimore Museum of Art by gift, 2022; Jonathan W. Kolker, Baltimore, MD by descent, 1980s; Irving Mason (1895-1957) and Rosa Jacobson Kolker (1907-1998), Baltimore, MD by purchase

Inscribed: Recto: artist initial "D" in enamel

Markings: On underside: - [American eagle with spread wings and Seal of United States in polychrome enamels]; - "Theo: R. Davis." (Facsimile signature in black); - "FABRIQUÉ PAR / HAVILAND & Co./ d’aprés les dessins / DE" (stamped in orange-red); - "DESIGN PATENTED / AUGUST 10th 1880 / No: 1193 (stamped in blue); - "H & Co." (stamped factory mark in green)