Image of Gallery in South Kensington
On display at V&A South Kensington
Ceramics, Room 139, The Curtain Foundation Gallery

Mug

ca. 1758-1760 (made)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

Mug of soft-paste porcelain transfer-printed in black enamel with the Arms of the Honourable Society of Buckinghamshire. Cylindrical in shape with a scrolled loop handle. The arms consist of a shield of rococo form charged with a stag, with a plough as crest, and two huntsmen as supporters. Below in a small medallion is Aesop's fable of the Bundle of Sticks, enclosed by the inscription 'UNANIMITY IS THE STRENGTH OF SOCIETY'. The whole composition is supported on a rococo framework with ribbons bearing the words 'WE OBEY' [twice], 'FREEDOM WITH INNOCENCE' and 'INDUSTRY PRODUCETH WEALTH'. On either side are winged figures of Fame and Justice.


Object details

Categories
Object type
Materials and techniques
Soft-paste porcelain transfer-printed in black enamel
Brief description
Mug of soft-paste porcelain transfer-printed in black enamel, printed by J. Sadler, Shaw's Brow pottery, Samuel Gilbody's factory, Liverpool, ca. 1758-1760.
Physical description
Mug of soft-paste porcelain transfer-printed in black enamel with the Arms of the Honourable Society of Buckinghamshire. Cylindrical in shape with a scrolled loop handle. The arms consist of a shield of rococo form charged with a stag, with a plough as crest, and two huntsmen as supporters. Below in a small medallion is Aesop's fable of the Bundle of Sticks, enclosed by the inscription 'UNANIMITY IS THE STRENGTH OF SOCIETY'. The whole composition is supported on a rococo framework with ribbons bearing the words 'WE OBEY' [twice], 'FREEDOM WITH INNOCENCE' and 'INDUSTRY PRODUCETH WEALTH'. On either side are winged figures of Fame and Justice.
Dimensions
  • Height: 9.5cm
  • Diameter: 7.6cm
Marks and inscriptions
  • 'UNANIMITY IS THE STRENGTH OF SOCIETY' (Inscribed)
  • 'WE OBEY' [twice], 'FREEDOM WITH INNOCENCE' and 'INDUSTRY PRODUCETH WEALTH' (Inscribed on ribbons)
  • 'Sadler, Liverpool' (Signature)
Credit line
Bequeathed by Herbert Allen
Subjects depicted
Literary referenceAesop's Fables
Bibliographic reference
Hillis, Maurice. Liverpool Porcelain, 1756-1804. 2011, pl. 7.55 and 14.3
Collection
Accession number
C.658-1935

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

Record createdJune 24, 2009
Record URL
Download as: JSONIIIF Manifest