Crab Paté Box

In 1861, Thomas Chappell Brown-Westhead (1837–1882) and William Moore (1815–1866) formed a partnership to operate the Cauldon Works. This large porcelain and pottery factory was located in Hanley, one of the six Staffordshire towns and several villages making up the Potteries, England’s principal ceramic manufacturing district. From about 1865, T. C. Brown-Westhead, Moore & Co. produced majolica of excellent quality that met with great acclaim at the many international exhibitions in which the firm participated. Although majolica was not the primary focus of its large and diverse production, Brown-Westhead, Moore & Co. engaged many freelance modelers, sculptors, and other artists to realize original wares, often noteworthy for their inventive design.

Majolica manufacturers created a range of models designed to serve particular kinds of seafood including oysters, sardines, fish, etc., often signalling in the model’s design what it intended to serve. The lively crab form of Brown-Westhead, Moore’s box signals the food it was used to contain—crab or another kind of seafood paté or spread.

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Provenance

Provenance (from the French provenir, 'to come from/forth') is the chronology of the ownership, custody, or location of a historical object. Learn more about provenance at the Walters.

Collection of Deborah and Philip English, Baltimore, by 2016 [date and mode of acquisition unknown]; given to the Walters Art Museum, 2025.