.jpg?w=1)
PROPERTY FROM A PENNSYLVANIA COLLECTION
Caption for painting:
Royal Yacht Squadron Cup Race, 1851
Private Collection
"In the 19th century, progress was measured by speed with which packets, clippers, and steamers could cross the Atlantic. The deeply entrenched competitive spirit of America fueled a cult of speed. This was nowhere more evident than in international yacht racing. The America's Cup became a focus of patriotic sentiment, and racing became a spectator sport." Richard B. Grassby.
Inspired by paintings of James Edward Buttersworth, the following Lenox plates of whaling ships and racing yachts were prized Christmas presents in the Roebling household. Specially commissioned in the late 1920s by F.W. Roebling Jr., grandson of the architect and structural engineer of the Brooklyn Bridge, these finely painted and richly gilt porcelain place plates were executed by the premiers artist at Lenox, William H. Morley.
Among the selection is America, the only American entry against 14 British boats in the Royal Yacht Squadron Cup Race, around the Isle of Wight in August 22, 1851 -that victory was to become the famous America's Cup.
Yachting enthusiasts will also find double winner Columbia (1899 and 1901), once owned by J.Pierpont Morgan, banker, art collector and Commodore of the New York Yacht Club 1979-99. Although finance was his business he was known for measuring the value of objects and people by their aesthetic or moral worth rather than their financial costs. Convinced that some activities are so important that their rewards must outpace their costs his famous advice about yachting was: "If you have to ask how much it costs, you can't afford it."
TWELVE LENOX AMERICA'S CUP 'DEFENDER' PLATES
CIRCA 1930, GREEN PRINTED MARKS, GILT PATTERN NO. AND YEAR CYPHER 1830/F.306.B, SIGNED W.H. MORLEY
Details
TWELVE LENOX AMERICA'S CUP 'DEFENDER' PLATES
CIRCA 1930, GREEN PRINTED MARKS, GILT PATTERN NO. AND YEAR CYPHER 1830/F.306.B, SIGNED W.H. MORLEY
Each finely painted with an historical twelve meter racing sloop at full sail, some with additional yachts on the horizon, within an acid-etched beaded gilt surround and ivory border, the rim enriched with a pattern gilt band, blue line rim and beaded edge
10½ in. (26.7 cm.) diameter (12)
CIRCA 1930, GREEN PRINTED MARKS, GILT PATTERN NO. AND YEAR CYPHER 1830/F.306.B, SIGNED W.H. MORLEY
Each finely painted with an historical twelve meter racing sloop at full sail, some with additional yachts on the horizon, within an acid-etched beaded gilt surround and ivory border, the rim enriched with a pattern gilt band, blue line rim and beaded edge
10½ in. (26.7 cm.) diameter (12)
Provenance
Commissioned by F.W. Roebling, Jr.
by descent to the present owner
by descent to the present owner