Cup thumbnail 1
Image of Gallery in South Kensington
On display at V&A South Kensington
Ceramics, Room 138, The Harry and Carol Djanogly Gallery

Cup

1780-1790 (made)
Artist/Maker
Unknown
Place of origin
Staffordshire (made)

Drinking stirrup cup of lead-glazed earthenware, bell-shaped, and moulded on each side with a double face, representing the Pope with triple crown when held downward, and the Devil with horns when held upwards. The two sides are separated by formal acanthus leaves outlined in blue. Other details are in yellow, grey, dark brown and pink. Inside, in yellow, the following inscription is painted round the rim: 'When Pope absolves / the devil smiles'.

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read Popular pottery Ceramics have been used to commemorate significant cultural moments, from coronations, to uprisings and feats of human endeavour, since at least the 17th century. Such events were widely reported, debated and gossiped about by all levels of society, and found their way on to common domesti...

Object details

Categories
Ceramics
Earthenware
Object type
Cup
Materials and techniques
Lead-glazed earthenware, painted with underglaze enamels, and with moulded decoration
Lead Glaze
Earthenware
Painted
Moulded
Glazed
Brief description
Drinking stirrup cup of lead-glazed earthenware, bell-shaped, and moulded, Staffordshire, 1780-1790.
Physical description
Drinking stirrup cup of lead-glazed earthenware, bell-shaped, and moulded on each side with a double face, representing the Pope with triple crown when held downward, and the Devil with horns when held upwards. The two sides are separated by formal acanthus leaves outlined in blue. Other details are in yellow, grey, dark brown and pink. Inside, in yellow, the following inscription is painted round the rim: 'When Pope absolves / the devil smiles'.
Dimensions
  • Height: 15.2cm
  • Diameter: 7.6cm
Marks and inscriptions
'When Pope absolves / the devil smiles' (Inside, painted in yellow round the rim)
Credit line
Given by Lady Charlotte Schreiber
Subjects depicted
Acanthus
Pope
Devil
Other number
Sch. II 305 - Schreiber number
Collection
Ceramics Collection
Accession number
414:1241-1885

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Record createdApril 16, 2009
Record URL
https://collections.vam.ac.uk/item/O224972/cup-unknown/
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