Oval serving dish from a dinner service made for George Francis Train

Subject or historical figure George Francis Train (1829-1904)

Datec 1856

Object number00030820

NameServing Dish

MediumCeramic

DimensionsOverall: 298 x 370 x 55 mm, 1.78 kg

ClassificationsTableware and furnishings

Credit LineANMM Collection Purchased with USA Bicentennial Gift funds

Terms

DescriptionThis oval serving dish is part of a Canton famille-rose dinner service made for George Francis Train, a prominent merchant during the mid 19th century. One of two large oval serving dishes in the service. The set features scenes of Mandarin court society such as this serving dish showing various figures engaged in different tasks. The whole scene is centred around a large tree with a banner in its branches.The border around the bowl is embellished with famille-rose butterflies, fruit, flowers and birds and a monogrammed "T".HistoryIn the early years following the American Revolution there was a demand for Chinese trade to supply manufactured products such as porcelain, silk and tea, which were not yet available in America. This meant that by the 1830s trade routes from America to China were well established. As a result many wealthy families and merchants of the time possessed numerous Chinese manufacture items in their homes. George Francis Train was born in Boston in 1829 and became famous for his entrepreneurial achievements, merchant adventuring and wealth. After a stint as a grocery clerk, Train began his career in shipping in 1845 when he joined his Uncle's Clipper Shipping Business. He established his own shipping firm in Melbourne, Australia in 1853. Throughout his mercantile career, he circumnavigated the globe four times. In 1856 he spent a year in China and it is thought that he ordered this famille-rose dinner service set during this time. Upon his return to America he invested in steel railways and railroads, formed a Finance Company and built various properties ensuring the growth of his fortune.SignificanceThis piece belonged to the American merchant George Francis Train who opened a shipping office in Melbourne in 1853 and returned to New York via China in 1856.