Plaque

The expansion of English wool production meant Irish textile manufacturers had to prioritise linen. The Irish Linen Board, effectively a branch of the colonial administration at Dublin Castle, was founded in 1711 to regulate and manage the industry. This enamel plaque features a transfer-printed image of Britannia encouraging Hibernia to manufacture linen. Ireland is symbolised by the figure of Hibernia who is holding a distaff representing linen production. Hibernia is holding the traditional symbol of the harp in her other hand. Britannia's shield bears the arms of the Duke of Dorset who was Lord Lieutenant of Ireland between 1750 and 1755. Britannia's shield usually features the Union flag. The image was designed by the Irish artist James Gwin and engraved by the Frenchman Simon François Ravenet.

The Battersea Enamel Factory was founded in 1753 by the merchant-politician Stephen Theodore Janssen. One of his partners was the Irish engraver John Brooks, who claimed to have invented transfer printing. Brooks unsuccessfully attempted to patent the technique in 1751. Brooks and Janssen were both declared bankrupt in 1756 and the factory closed.