Plate: C.1973-1928

Maker(s)

Production: Baylon Factory

Entities

• Plate

Categories

• Lead-glazed earthenware
• Creamware
• Faience fine

Description

Cream-coloured earthenware, transfer-printed in black with two peasants seated in a garden, and inscription 'Canton de Thurgovie'

Cream-coloured earthenware (faïence fine), moulded, transfer-printed onglaze in black, and painted in dark manganese-purple. The plate is circular with a narrow, slightly sloping border, and curved sides. The central area is printed with two peasants wearing the costume of the Canton of Thurgau seated in a garden with a lake and mountains in the distance. On the left, a man reading a book, and on the right, a woman holding a cat on her lap, Below is the printed inscription 'Canton de Thurgovie'. A narrow manganese-purple line encircles the inner edge of the border, and a narrow and a wide band its outer edge.

Notes

History note: Mr G. Morganti, Geneva, from whom purchased for 5 francs on 22 February 1904 by Dr J.W.L. Glaisher, FRS, Trinity College, Cambridge

Legal notes

Dr J. W. L. Glaisher Bequest

Acquisition and important dates

Method of acquisition: Bequeathed (1928-12-07) by Glaisher, J. W. L., Dr

Dating

19th Century, second quarter
Circa 1825 - 1840

Note

This plate was one of a series decorated with the costumes of the Swiss Cantons made by the Baylon factory at Carouge in Switzerland. The scene may have been after a print by Franz Hegi (1744-1850), a Swiss artist who produced many prints of Swiss views and society. Four plates from the same series illustrating the peasant costume from different Cantons are in the Historisches Museum, Olten (see Documentation). The Baylon Factory operated between 1812 and 1879. It was founded by Abraham Baylon and his father- in-law Antoine Franck in rue Caroline, Carouge, in Switzerland, and the company was registered in 1813 as Baylon & Co. In 1817 it became a limited company, Baylon & Comp. and in 1827, a joint stock company. After the death of Abraham Baylon in 1829, and of Antoine Franck in 1830, the enterprise was directed by Marie Madeleine, the widow of Baylon, and was titled Veuve Baylon & Cie. From 1836 her son Antoine Baylon, joined her and it became Veuve Baylon & Fils. Antoine became the sole proprietor in 1843, and on his death in 1866, his widow, Fanny Baylon-Lautard took over. The mark BAYLON, which appears most often on their products, was probably introduced in the early 1820s.