THE CROWN OF HOPS AND PRATTWARE TREASURES

F & R Pratt multicolored transfer print "The Hop Queen" with a malachite border, ca. 1851

My husband bought a lovely Prattware comport printed with a pattern called "The Hop Queen."  I am glad he did because I love the bright colors and charming scene of a little girl being decorated with a crown of hop flowers.  I learned it was copied from the 1835 painting by W.F. Witherington titled "The Crown of Hops" or "The Hop Garland."

"The Crown of Hops" by W.F. Witherington, ca. 1855

I encouraged David to buy more of these lovely multicolored transferware plates and comports.  Be careful what you encourage!

Some Prattware comports: "The Hop Queen" and "The Blind Fiddler." There are two of each pattern, although with different borders. Click on the photo to make it larger.

Below is a photo of the the other pattern, "The Blind Fiddler," shown in the grouping above.

Pratt Pottery "The Blind Fiddler" copied from a painting by Sir David Wilkie. The border is called the 1-2-3 border.

"The Blind Fiddler" by Sir David Wilkie, 1806.

According to K.V. Mortimer's book "Pot -Lids," much, if not most, of the patterns on what he calls ware (not pot lids, but dishes and comports) were copied from famous and well-loved paintings. The book is illustrated with photos of lovely patterns with many different borders.  I recommend Mortimer's book to anyone to wants more knowledge about this type of transferware.  I, on the other hand, just want more of the ware!