The Fitzhugh Pattern: A Classic Oriental Lowestoft Design

In: Ceramic Art and Design, Decorative & Applied Arts, Decorative Arts Dictionary
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Chinese Export Porcelain Orange Fitzhugh Pattern hot water dish featuring an American eagle with a shield and a banner inscribed E Pluribus Unum, surrounded by intricate floral and geometric designs in overglaze polychrome enamels.
A Chinese Export Porcelain hot water dish, ca. 1815, decorated with the Orange Fitzhugh Pattern. The central motif features an American eagle with a shield and a banner reading E Pluribus Unum, symbolizing the young United States’ global trade connections.

Origins and History

The Fitzhugh Pattern is a well-known Oriental Lowestoft design that dates back to the 1770s. It is characterized by its intricate trellis work border, featuring four split pomegranates revealing the fruit inside, along with butterflies depicted with wings spread. The central design consists of four distinct groups of flowers and emblems, both martial and symbolic, surrounding either a medallion or an oval monogram.

Antique blue-and-white porcelain plate featuring the Fitzhugh Pattern, with intricate Chinese landscape scenes, pagodas, and a geometric border design. The plate shows visible cracks and restoration, indicating its historical significance
This is an 18th-century Fitzhugh Pattern porcelain plate showcasing traditional Chinese motifs and blue-and-white decoration. This example exhibits signs of age and repair, reflecting its historical journey in global trade.

The Name and Its Origins

The origins of the name Fitzhugh are debated. Some attribute it to an American sea captain who favored this design, while others suggest it arose from the mispronunciation of Foochow, a Chinese city historically known for porcelain production.

The Fitzhugh Pattern in the American Market

The Fitzhugh pattern became popular in the American market during the late 18th and early 19th centuries. Some pieces featured an American eagle at the centre, making them particularly striking and patriotic. One of the most notable examples is George Washington’s Oriental Lowestoft dinner service, adorned with the Society of the Cincinnati emblem along with a Fitzhugh border in underglaze blue.

Blue-and-white Fitzhugh Pattern porcelain plate, 1780–1820, featuring intricate floral, geometric, and symbolic motifs. Originally designed for British and American markets, this pattern is named after Thomas Fitzhugh.
A blue-and-white Fitzhugh Pattern porcelain plate produced between 1780 and 1820 for the British and American markets. This pattern, attributed to Thomas Fitzhugh, features elaborate floral motifs and geometric borders, reflecting the refined craftsmanship of Chinese export porcelain.

Colour Variations and Decorative Techniques

The Fitzhugh pattern is most commonly found in underglaze blue, but it also appears in:

  • Sepia
  • Brown
  • Bright green
  • Orange
  • Other vibrant colors

Each variation was highly sought after, with collectors valuing the different hues and artistic interpretations.

Significance in Decorative Arts

The Fitzhugh pattern is a beautiful example of export porcelain and a representation of the growing artistic and commercial exchanges between China and the West. The pattern’s enduring popularity highlights its status as an iconic design in ceramics and decorative arts.

Connection to Oriental Lowestoft

This pattern falls within the broader category of Oriental Lowestoft, a term that describes Chinese export porcelain explicitly made for Western markets. Unlike true Lowestoft porcelain, manufactured in England, Oriental Lowestoft refers to Chinese porcelain produced in the 18th and 19th centuries and exported to Europe and America.

Conclusion

The Fitzhugh pattern remains a celebrated and highly collectible design in antique ceramics. Its intricate details and historical significance make it a treasured example of Chinese export porcelain, whether in blue, green, sepia, or other colours. From George Washington’s dinner service to its widespread use in elite American households, the Fitzhugh pattern continues to captivate collectors and historians alike.

Source

Boger, L. A. (1971). The Dictionary of World Pottery and Porcelain. United Kingdom: A. and C. Black.

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