For the American consumer targeted by Ralph Stevenson and his American agent Williams, the image on this dark blue dinner plate would, the potter intended, inspire pride in the new republic as well as an irresistible urge to possess the tableware. For us today it documents how the U.S. Capitol appeared after the successive employment of architects Latrobe and Bulfinch and before the alterations that were initiated in the 1850's. The wings are shorter; the dome lower; visitors stroll on park-like lawns occupied now by massive marble terraces. 

The view is framed in a tight ring of printed beadwork. A deeper blue ground border extends across the flange of the plate, backing the ivy leaves that give the Stevenson series its designation "Vine Leaf."  A loose scallop and diamond pattern marks the very edge of the plate,

According to Elouise Baker Larsen, American Historical Views On Staffordshire China (1939; Dover Reprint 1975, p. 138), the artist for this view was H. Brown.  It was engraved and printed by Fenner, Sears and Co. under the title "Capitol of the United States, Washington"  and was published in History and Topography of the United Sates by I.T. Hinton, 1831.

We usually think of  Staffordshire partnerships forming between potters. Aldborough Lloyd Williams, the Williams of Stevenson & Williams was actually Ralph's agent in New York. The relationship underscores the importance of the American market to the potter who was responsible for a number of  the classic American historical views.