Mug
ca.1850 (made)
| Artist/Maker | |
| Place of origin |
This earthenware presentation mug is decorated with transfer prints of theatrical engravings and chap-book prints. It was probably made by the Staffordshire firm of Elsmore and Forster, Clayhills Pottery, Tunstall, which operated between 1853 and 1871 and specialised in this type of presentation ware. They produced various examples of presentation mugs and jugs, all decorated with engraved images relating to popular entertainment, so it seems that they had acquired a stock of old prints which were reproduced in different combinations on various-sized jugs. This clown print and Harlequinade figure group also feature on similar Elsmore and Forster jugs, including the more sophisticated jug in the Theatre Collections, S.209-1998.
Object details
| Categories | |
| Object type | |
| Materials and techniques | Clay, ink and glaze |
| Brief description | Presentation mug featuring images from a pantomime Harlequinade and from a Chapbook, possibly by Elsmore and Forster, ca.1850. |
| Physical description | Grimaldi two handled cup donated by france Dann. Cream with black images, decorative panels on both handles up to, and over, shoulders. Decoration has been rubbed off/faded on top of handle shoulders. Chapbook figures in silhouette run round base on 1 hand. This side also has 4 commedia figures on it, plus caricature of Shakespeare to one side and clown to other. Second side shows two more chapbook figures at base and five figures of caricature actors and nursery rhyme figures. |
| Dimensions |
|
| Marks and inscriptions | '6' (Marked on base) |
| Credit line | Given by Frances Dann |
| Subjects depicted | |
| Summary | This earthenware presentation mug is decorated with transfer prints of theatrical engravings and chap-book prints. It was probably made by the Staffordshire firm of Elsmore and Forster, Clayhills Pottery, Tunstall, which operated between 1853 and 1871 and specialised in this type of presentation ware. They produced various examples of presentation mugs and jugs, all decorated with engraved images relating to popular entertainment, so it seems that they had acquired a stock of old prints which were reproduced in different combinations on various-sized jugs. This clown print and Harlequinade figure group also feature on similar Elsmore and Forster jugs, including the more sophisticated jug in the Theatre Collections, S.209-1998. |
| Collection | |
| Accession number | S.54-1988 |
About this object record
Explore the Collections contains over a million catalogue records, and over half a million images. It is a working database that includes information compiled over the life of the museum. Some of our records may contain offensive and discriminatory language, or reflect outdated ideas, practice and analysis. We are committed to addressing these issues, and to review and update our records accordingly.
You can write to us to suggest improvements to the record.
Suggest feedback
You can write to us to suggest improvements to the record.
Suggest feedback
| Record created | December 5, 2005 |
| Record URL |
Download as: JSONIIIF Manifest
