MARCH TRANSFERWARE PATTERNS

Wedgwood (1759-2005) 10 inch "March" plate with a Florentine border. You can see the word "March" on the bottom right of the pattern. The Transferware Collectors Club Database of Patterns and Sources says: "The patterns were designed by Helen Miles who was a designer, painter and illustrator (fl.1860-1893). She designed several series of tiles for Wedgwood, including "Months".

One of my readers was hoping to see some transferware March patterns.  Here are a few, starting with a Wedgwood plate.  You probably know that Wedgwood made a series of month tiles.  They were so popular that Wedgwood incorporated the designs onto plates surrounded by one of several Wedgwood border.  Below are some tiles from the Wedgwood Museum in England.  You can see March on the planter, as well as on the center left in the group of tiles. 

The month of March is also found on children's plates.  They make excellent birthday presents.

Scott (1800-1897) 6.5 inch "March" plate.  If you enlarge the photo, you'll see a ram over the man's left shoulder.  The ram or Aries is one of the astrological signs for the month of March.

Ynysmeudwy Pottery (1845-1877) 6 inch "March plate.  The child is casting seeds for Spring planting.  The plate is one of a series of twelve.

Maker unknown 6.62 inch "March" plate.  The scene includes planting as well as a seasonal poem.  Notice the alphabet border.

Below is a plate from Adams "Seasons" series that shows a man pruning a tree.  A banner to the right of his spade says the word "March."

William Adams IV & Sons (1829-1861) 9.5 inch "March" plate.  The border includes four figures illustrating the four seasons.

March is often illustrated with a windy scene.  Below is a "March" tile with a woman and child holding their hats.  Notice the ram under the word "Aries" in the the circle near the top left.  Aries is one of the astrological symbols of March.

Minton Hollins & Co. (1868-1962) 8 inch "March" tile.

One more pattern.  Here is a March child's mug.  I find the text a bit confusing.  Wouldn't the days of feasting and gluttony be over by January?   However, 19th century children's china was often intended to instruct, so here is a poem about gluttony. 

Maker unknown 2.62 inch "March" mug printed with the words: "The jovial days of feasting past/Tis pious prudence come at last/And eager gluttony is taught/To be content with what it ought."

The other side of the mug show a mother of governess instructing a child about gluttony.

Remember that all of the patterns that illustrate a month were part of a series.  It would be fun to collect them all!

Wedgwood tiles depicting the twelve month of the year, ca. 1880.