Plate: C.7-2021

Titles

Plate

Maker(s)

Unknown

Entities

• Plate

Categories

• Earthenware

Description

Earthenware, slightly scalloped edge, printed underglaze in puce with a scene of young African American figures celebrating before a small hut beneath a flag inscribed 'LIBERTY', titled above 'FREEDOM FIRST OF AUGUST' and dated '1838' below, within a dense border of repeated flowerheads.

White earthenware, printed underglaze in two shades of puce. Circular with a slightly scalloped edge, convex sloping rim, and deep well with curved sides. In the middle an African American family comprising a man, a woman, and two children, are joyfully celebrating their freedom in front of a small hut with behind it, trees, shrubs, and a pole flying a pennant inscribed 'LIBERTY'. Above are the words 'FREEDOM FIRST OF AUGUST', and below, the date '1838'.

Notes

History note: Robin Simpson; purchased at his sale, the Robin Simpson Collection of Commemorative Ceramics, Woolley & Wallis, Salisbury, 8 September 2021, lot 516

Legal notes

Given by the Friends of The Fitzwilliam Museum

Acquisition and important dates

Method of acquisition: Bought (2021) by Woolley & Wallis The Friends of the Fitzwilliam Museum

Dating

19th Century, second quarter#
William IV
Production date: dated AD 1838

Note

This plate depicts a number of formerly enslaved people joyfully celebrating the arrival of 1 August 1838, the date at which formerly enslaved people in the West Indies were granted full emancipation. Unlike many abolitionist ceramics, which depict enslaved people as powerless and grateful, this plate depicts enslaved people without bonds and as joyful to be free of their bondage. Although the Abolition of Slavery Act had come into force on 1 August 1834 (as commemorated on jug C.6-2021), in reality, the formerly enslaved in the British West Indies (over the age of six years old) were made to continue working for their former masters under an unpaid apprentice system lasting four to six years. This period ended prematurely on 1 August 1838, when full emancipation was granted for all enslaved people.