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Ship Portraits: 150 Years of Ship's China Steamship portraits have graced ship ' s china ware since the earliest days of steam navigation. Indeed, the earliest such pattern is associated with Samuel Cunard's pioneering transatlantic steamer service of 1840. The tradition continues today in the china service used by at least one cruise line. It was no accident that the introduction of specially patterned tableware coincided with the beginning of regularly schedu led steamship services. Early steamship companies attempted to stress not only the reliability of their service but also its uneventful character. What better way than to provide the traveling public such home comforts as clean table linens and decent food served on handsomely decorated tableware? 32
Daniel C. Krummes The in tense com petition of the steamship era called for new inspiration in shipboard service and for specific company identification. Ship's china reflected this revolution. A bold and confident style both reassured passengers and adverti sed the company to attract future business. Then , as now, ship ' s china was rarely fine quality chinaware of porcelain. Rather, a heavy duty ware cost less and minimized breakage in everyday use as well as in rolling and stormy seas. While the decoration of this ware has traditionally included a host of maritime themes, from houseflags and funnels to nautical equipment, perhaps the most beautiful
and striking designs are those of ships themselves. 19th Century Ship Portraits One of the earliest maritime china patterns , known as "Boston Mails," features both exterior and interior views of early Cunard Line vessels. The pattern was registered with the British Patent Office Design Registry in 1841,just one year after the maiden transatlantic voyage of the Britannia. Whether Cunard ordered the service for on board use, or whether it was produced by its English manufacturers to commennorate the new steamship route to Ame:rica, remains unclear. Regardless, thfe pattern provides a delightful glimpse: of ocean travel in the 1840s. The pattern frequently portrays the SEA HUSTORY 64, WINTER 1992-93