Large, dark blue oval Staffordshire platter with expansive countryside view, river and bridge. Multiple people and horses including a Conestoga wagon, river boat, fisherman, horse and rider, etc. Slightly scalloped edge. Decorated with an eagle at each "corner"; the remainder has acanthus leaves and flowers.
Underside of border is stamped in blue within an oval medallion: "Upper Ferry Bridge over the Schuylkill River."
Long crack from middle of center to edge. Multiple stains on underside, including tape stains.
Object ID
2003.064.1
Notes
The Colossus Bridge – also known as Fairmount Bridge, Colossus of Fairmount or Upper Ferry Bridge (and formally as the Lancaster Schuylkill Bridge[1]) – was a record-setting timber bridge across the Schuylkill River near Philadelphia. It was built in 1812 by Louis Wernwag, and was considered his finest bridge design. It had a clear span of 340 feet (103.6 m) (contemporary US Record) and was the first long span bridge to use iron rods.
The bridge was destroyed September 1, 1838, by fire.[3] The bridge was succeeded by Charles Ellet, Jr.'s wire suspension bridge and then the Callowhill Street truss bridge.[4] The modern bridge at this site is the Spring Garden Street Bridge. (Wikipedia)
The scene is from an 1823 engraving by Jacob J. Plocher, which is turn is after the painting by Thomas Birch.
Place of Origin
Staffordshire, England
Credit
Courtesy of LancasterHistory, Lancaster, Pennsylvania.
