The view featured on these cups and saucers is based on a detail of an 1838 engraving by James Sands after the English draughtsman and travel book illustrator, William Henry Bartlett. Bartlett was one of the most well-travelled artists of the age, journeying extensively throughout North America, as well as Continental Europe and the Near East. The building with the six-columned portico in the center of the view is the former Connecticut State House, designed by New Haven architect Ithiel Town. After the Civil War, Hartford was designated the sole capital of Connecticut, and the building was demolished in 1889. Trinity Church and United Church can be seen in the background. The transfer-printed border of nasturtium and morning glory was one of Thomas Godwin’s stock designs and could be used to decorate pieces of different shapes and sizes.