//
For internal use only
Not On Display
Plate (Dinner plate)
Merryman plate
1717
Category
Ceramics
Place of Origin
London; London; England; United Kingdom; Europe
Materials
- Earthenware (delftware, faience)
- Tin glaze
Museum Object Number
1961.1337.002
Credit Line/Donor
Bequest of Henry Francis du Pont
Share Object
Complete Details
Object Number
1961.1337.002
Object Name
Plate (Dinner plate)
Title
Merryman plate
Category
Ceramics
Place of Origin
London; London; England; United Kingdom; Europe
Date
1717
Mark/Signature/Inscription/Label
Type: Inscription
Location: Within central reserve
Inscription: Painted under the glaze (script) "2/Let him do/What he Can/1717".
Mark/Signature: No
Subject(s)
- Satire
Materials
- Earthenware (delftware, faience)
- Tin glaze
Techniques
- Molded
- painted
Dimensions (inches)
1.102 (H) x 8.52 (Diam)
Dimensions (centimeters)
2.8 (H) x 21.65 (Diam)
Bibliography and Bibliographic Notes
Article: Hurry, Silas D. 2005 What is "What" in St Mary's City?. Ceramics in America. 220-223.
• Fragment of earlier version excavated at St. Mary's City MD: Fragment of 1680+ English delft plate with "[let him] what" from "Let him do what he can" verse.Book: Grigsby, Leslie B. 2000 The Longridge Collection of English Slipware and Delftware.
• 1682 dated merryman plate set: vol. 2, no. D79, possibly Brislington, blue and white with cartouches.Book: Britton, Frank. 1987 London Delftware.
• 1734 dated set with laurel wreath-bordered reserves: p. 143, no. 122, attributed as London.Book: Austin, John C. 1994 British Delft at Williamsburg.
• 1739-dated set: p. 148, no. 210, with somewhat less calligraphic wreaths.Catalogue: Sotheby & Co.. auction catalogue: .
• 1752 dated set with laurel-wreathed reserves: December 3, 2013 sale, lot 30, full set of six matched plates.Article: Austin, John C. 2006 J. Palin Thorley (1892-1987), Potter and Designer: Part 2, Williamsburg. Ceramics in America. 178-216.
• Modern whiteware "What is a Merry Man" plate by Palin Thorley (Williamsburg, VA): p. 197, fig. 55, from 1942-50. Inscribed within wreath. Colors are white on black(?).