This magnificent platter is another of the views from the series by Charles James Mason & Co. that collectors call BIBLICAL SERIES. The view, however, is of the city of Damascus while the backstamp describes the Mosque of Omar, which is located in Jerusalem. The information on the source print, titled “DAMASCUS,” tells us the print was “Drawn by T. C. Dibdin, from a sketch by F. Catherwood.” It also says “Engraved by E. Finden.” The print was published in 1835, in London, by John Murray “& Sold also by C. Tilt, 86, Fleet Street.”
Whether we label this view as Damascus or The Mosque of Omar is immaterial. It does, nonetheless, suggest to this author the presence of both views in the C. J. Mason series. The view featuring the Mosque of Omar has, to date, not surfaced.
Damascus −Mosque of Omar ~ 13.75 by 11 inch platter from the BIBLICAL CITIES series by C. J. M. & Co.(Charles James Mason & Co.), Fenton Stone Works, High Street, Lane Delph, Fenton (1826-1840); the backstamp, on the underside of the platter rim, tells of the Mosque of Omar.
“THE MOSQUE OF OMAR IS ERECTED ON THE SPOT IN WHICH STOOD SOLOMONS’ TEMPLE, ON MOUNT MORIAH, WHERE THE LORD APPEARED UNTO DAVID HIS FATHER, IN THE PLACE THAT DAVID HAD PREPARED, IN THE THRASHING FLOOR OF ORNAN THE JEBUSITE.
IT WAS ERECTED BY THE CALIFH OMAR AND BY THE MOSLEMS IS CONSIDERED NEXT IN SANCTITY TO THE TEMPLE OF MECCA. AFTER THE CRUSADERS HAD USED IT, SALADIN PURIFIED IT WITH REPEATED WASHINGS OF ROSEATR.” The view on the platter matches the source print titled “Damascus.”
1. An Almost “No. 106” View?
2. Charming Unknown Jug
1. Grape & Trellis
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