Patterns of the Month: Children's Patterns

Each month we feature a new pattern from our Pattern and Source Print Database and archive them on these pages by category.

“Peace and Good Old Times”

Seen is a 6.5 inch plate titled “Peace and Good Old Times” by an unknown maker. It was probably made to celebrate the end of the Napoleonic Wars in 1815. The message is also an excellent wish for the New Year! Happy 2020!

Members only: for more information about this pattern and to see other similar patterns, search the Pattern and Source Print Database.

“For a good Boy”

Shown is a 7.5 inch plate, “For a good Boy.” It shows a dancing bear and dog, and was intended to delight a beloved child. The TCC database is filled with charming patterns that were gifts of affection for boys and girls. Visit more information and other archived patterns  to see the companion plate, “For a good Girl."

Members only: for more information about this pattern and to see other similar patterns, search the Pattern and Source Print Database.

“A Was an Archer, Prepared for Battle"

Seen is a pattern, “A Was an Archer, Prepared for Battle,” that was intended to teach the letter “A.” It is from a series of all the letters of the alphabet. The molded border features greyhounds, goats, and butterflies.  The maker is unknown. The pattern is one of the nearly 15,000 pattern in the TCC Database of Patterns and Sources. To learn more about this and other patterns, see the Pattern and Source Print Database.

"The Cup Found In Benjamin’s Sack"

Shown is a 6.7 inch plate by an unknown maker from the “History Of Joseph” series. Here, the pattern name is “The Cup Found In Benjamin’s Sack,” which you may remember was placed there by Joseph in order to detain his family in Egypt. A 19th century child would have known the story well, which may be why the series appears so often on children’s items. The TCC Database of Patterns and Sources shows 15 Joseph patterns. To learn more about this and other patterns, see the Pattern and Source Print Database.

"ABC Song"

Children's plates and mugs were often given as rewards for good behavior, christening presents, and as teaching tools. Shown is an unusual pattern on a 7.5 inch plate which features the musical notes that are named for the first seven letters of the alphabet. These letter names are used over and over as you go up the piano keys: ABCDEFGABCDEFG. To learn more about this and other patterns, see the Pattern and Source Print Database.

"A Present From The Staffordshire Potteries"

Shown is a 7.75 inch pearlware plate titled "A Present From The Staffordshire Potteries." Children's patterns were often intended as rewards, christening gifts or souvenirs. This plate was probably a souvenir from the Potteries. To learn more about this and other patterns, see the Pattern and Source Print Database.

"March"

Seen here is a 6.5 child's plate with a molded daisy border in a series depicting each of the months along with the appropriate sign of the Zodiac (look at the ram peeking over the shoulder of the man). It is impressed Scott (1840-1897) on the back, and was probably made around 1840. To learn more about this and other patterns, see the Pattern and Source Print Database.

Children's Subjects

Shown here on a 6.31 inch child's plate are hands illustrating the sign language alphabet consonants in two circles surrounding a single hand showing the vowels. Children's patterns were often used as teaching tools, and this one would be as useful today as it was in the 19th century. However, the alphabet is an example of the British manual alphabet which uses two hands rather than the American manual alphabet which uses one hand. To learn more about this and other patterns, see the Pattern and Source Print Database.

"Christmas Day"
Children's patterns were intended as gifts or teaching tools. This 7 inch plate does both.  It was probably a Christmas gift and its molded border teaches the alphabet.  As is typical for most patterns made for children, the maker is unknown.

"Poor Richard's Maxim's" (sic)
Found on a 5 inch plate, this pattern is surrounded by an alphabet border with a Vitruvian scroll edge. There are two maxims that relate to the pattern: "I never saw an oft removed tree nor yet an oft removed family that did so well as those that  settled be" and "Three removes are as bad as a fire and a rolling stone gathers no moss" (actually three maxims!). Poor Richard is the alter ego of Benjamin Franklin.  For more information about this pattern and children's patterns in general, please see the pattern and source print database.

Find additional patterns and more extensive information in our Patterns and Source Print Database..

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