Lafayette's Landing Open Tureen and Tray

Circa 1820s: Certainly the most popular and lasting dark blue historical Staffordshire transferware pattern created for the American market by English brothers James and Ralph Clews is The Landing of General Lafayette At Castle Garden, New York, 16 August, 1824, which celebrates the starting point of the heroic French general's first visit to the United States since his historic leadership in the American Revolutionary War nearly fifty years earlier. The pattern was so loved by the American people that Clews manufactured it a bevy of shapes, one of the rarest being the captivating open tureen and tray set with its scalloped edges and holes that seem to mimic the steady lapping of a safe harbor's calm waves, a perfectly symbolic design for the landing of our nation's Revolutionary War hero. The tureen measures 5 3/8"H x 11"W x 8 1/2"D, the tray 1 1/8"H x 11 7/8"W x 9 1/2"D. The tureen remains undamaged, and its tray has some minor edge chipping as photographed; however, it is remarkable to find such scarce early pieces in such excellent condition with extremely well applied transfers and no cracks or repairs. Lafayette's Landing is especially in vogue during the 200th anniversary of the general's tour, and this is a very rare form to find for sale on the open market.