Skip to main content

Plate, Showing the Philadelphia Waterworks

c. 1820-1830
Artist/maker unknown, Chinese, for export to the American market
As the first municipal water system in the United States, the Fairmount Waterworks attracted many visitors to Philadelphia in the early nineteenth century. Located on the banks of the Schuylkill River at the foot of Fairmount Park, the waterworks were depicted by numerous American and European artists and subsequently appeared on Chinese export porcelain, as seen on this plate.

Object Details

We are always open to learning more about our collections and updating the website. Does this record contain inaccurate information or language that you feel we should improve or change? Contact us here.

Please note that this particular artwork might not be on view when you visit. Don’t worry—we have plenty of exhibitions for you to explore.