Cooper Molera Type Collection Photo Gallery

Transferprints

Transferprints grew in popularity during the late eighteenth century and continues to be used in many households today. The transferprint method was a relatively inexpensive way of mass producing intricately decorated earthenware.

First the pattern was etched onto a copper plate. Pigment was painted onto the plate and printed on paper, which was trimmed to fit the vessel. The paper was then applied wet to the vessel and the pigment was transferred. Finally, the vessel was fired to set the pigment.

Early transferprints were only made in dark blue, due to technological constraints in the creation of pigments. In the mid nineteenth century, new processes for creating pigment led to the production of light blue, red, green, purple, brown and black transferprints.

Ceramic decorative types from the Cooper-Molera Adobe included in this collection consist of 19th century transferprints, Chinese export porcelain, hand painted, annular, rockingham, white ironstone luster and cream ware. Other decorative types in the collection are edge decorated and unglazed wares. Along with imported pottery from such places as England, France and China, the collection also includes ceramics by a significant Monterey potter, Honoré Escolle.

Please click on the thumbnail to see the full-size image (images not shown to scale)


Image of Clews plate   Image of Clews pottery mark   Image of Clews pottery mark

James & Ralph Clews
Manufacturer:
Cobridge Works, Cobridge, Stoke-on-Trent
Pattern: Winter View of Pittsfield
Location: Cobridge, Staffordshire
Type: Transferprint
Date: 1818-1834



Image of Shaw cup   Image of Shaw pottery mark   Image of Shaw pottery mark

Anthony Shaw (& Sons)
Manufacturer:
Child Works, Tunstall; Mersey Works, Burslem
Pattern: Texian Campaigne
Location: Staffordshire
Type: Transferprint
Date: 1851-1900



Image of Stevenson & Williams plate   Image of Stevenson & Williams pottery mark

Ralph Stevenson & William
Manufacturer:
Lower Manufactory
Pattern: Panoramic Scenery
Location: Cobridge, Staffordshire
Type: Transferprint
Date: 1825-1827


Image of Phillips bowl   Image of Phillips pottery mark


George Phillips
Manufacturer: New Bridge Works
Pattern: Eton College
Location: Longport, Staffordshire
Type: Transferprint
Date: 1822-1848


Child's Cup with Locomotive Image


Image of child's cup   Image of child's cup   Image of child's cup

This child's cup was recovered from the Cooper-Molera adobe in Monterey, California. Made from white earthenware with a transferprint image of an unknown early locomotive, the cup stands at 2 3/4 inches and has a handle. The exact origin and date are unknown; however, it is estimated to be of English manufacture, c. 1820s-1880s.


Hand Painted Ceramics

Image of hand painted ceramic   Image of hand paninted ceramic   Image of hand painted ceramic

Ironstone Ceramics

Image of ironstone ceramic piece   Image of ironstone ceramic piece   Image of ironstone ceramic piece

Annular Ware Ceramics

Image of annular ware ceramic piece   Image of annular ware ceramic piece   Image of annular ware ceramic piece

Lustre Ware Ceramics

Image of lustre ware ceramic piece   Image of lustre ware ceramic piece   Image of lustre ware ceramic piece

Honore Escolle Ceramics

Image of Honore Escolle ceramic piece   Image of Honore Escolle ceramic piece   Image of Honore Escolle ceramic piece


Image of coin   Image of coin   Image of coin

In addition to ceramics, numerous coins have been recovered from excavations at the Cooper-Molera adobe. Thirty-seven coins were found in all; nineteen minted in the United States and eighteen others from foreign countries.