c. 1800 Exceedingly Rare George Washington and Thomas Jefferson Transfer-Printed Portraits with legend: “HE IN GLORY... AMERICA IN TEARS.” GEORGE WASHINGTON memorial together with a Standing “JEFFERSON.”, 9 3/8 inches tall, Herculaneum Pottery Liverpool Creamware, England, Choice Extremely Fine.
This example is certainly among the Finest Known of this exceeding rare and important JEFFERSON / WASHINGTON design with transfers created after Saint Memin’s. A rarely encountered Liverpool Historical Transfer-Printed Herculaneum Pottery Creamware Pitcher, measuring 9 3/8 inches tall. The transfer image on one side displays a full-length Standing Portrait of Thomas Jefferson with a foliate border, as shown as Arman J.25, illustrated on page 118 in the 1990 major reference book titled: “Anglo-American Ceramics” which provides a $20,000+ valuation. The opposite side transfer displays a fine Saint Memin designed Portrait of George Washington facing to the right, encircled by a decorative leaf and berry border with text reading: “He In Glory / America In Tears.” as shown in the Arman reference as W.37 illustrated on page 205. The 1990 reference book provides a value of $1,800 for that transfer alone, (without the combined rarer Thomas Jefferson).

The Profile of George Washington surrounded by laurel leaves and berries, is of a design by the famous artist Saint Memin, although the drawing from which it was taken originally faced left. This right-facing version is identical to the engraving used in a George Washington “Mourning” Ring, sold in a Simon Chaudron's Philadelphia shop where Saint Memin worked, circa 1800. That Washington portrait is pictured in Ellen G. Miles reference, “Saint Memin and the Neoclassical Profile Portrait in America.” Also See: National Portrait Gallery and the Smithsonian Institution Press, Washington, 1994, Fig. 5:21, page 103. Recently, one of the original Mourning Rings sold at public auction and was hammered sold at $70,000.

An additional monogram “PHE” and the Great Seal of the United States are displayed in black transfers beneath the spout, and a decorative floral design transfer is added below the handle. A beautiful example with excellent overall eye appeal that appears in virtually Mint quality, with only light wear seen on the base from prior placement. This example having obviously been kept safe as a valuable cherished treasure. References: Jefferson portrait inventoried as J.25 and illustrated p. 118; and Washington portrait inventoried as W.37 and illustrated p. 205 both in David and Linda Arman's Anglo-American Ceramics, Part I; Transfer Printer Creamware and Pearlware for the American Market, 1760-1860, Oakland Press: Portsmouth, Rhode Island, 1998.



Liverpool Creamware Pitcher, Thomas Jefferson, George Washington, Portrait, Pottery