Rare Woodlands Near Philadelphia 10.75" Bacon Platter

Circa 1822-1835: Manufactured for the American market by English ceramicist Joseph Stubbs, this seldom found 10 3/4" x 8 5/8" medium blue bacon platter of the Woodlands Near Philadelphia is from the potter's popular spread eagle border series, which depicts various American views surrounded by a border of patriotic bald eagles interspersed between lush floral sprays. This scarce American view is adapted from an 1809 engraving entitled "Woodlands the Seat of Mr. Wm. Hamilton Pennsylvania" by William Russell Birch (1755-1834). The Library Company of Philadelphia's website notes that this is a view of "West Philadelphia mansion (built in 1742, remodeled and enlarged between 1787 and 1790) of William Hamilton, grandson of Alexander Hamilton" and that "the estate was purchased in 1840 by the Woodlands Cemetery Company." The Philadelphia Museuim of Art's website explains further that "the grandson of one of Philadelphia's richest men, William Hamilton used his considerable wealth to pursue his far-reaching interests in art, science, and horticulture. The gardens he created at Woodlands, his 600-acre country estate overlooking the Schuylkill River, were among the finest in the county at the time." This extremely scarce platter is in excellent condition with no chips, cracks, or repairs and only typical short knife marks on the front and expected minor shelf wear on the back. Ex Routson Collection