Mug

1760-1770

Maker

Royal Worcester (established 1751)

Engraved printing plate by Robert Hancock (1730-1817)

Measurements

4-3/4 in x 4-7/8 in x 3-1/2 in (dia)

Materials

Transfer-printed soft-paste porcelain

Credit Line

Historic Odessa Foundation, gift of Sheila Ross

Accession Number

2012.148

Inscription

“Worcester Transfer / Mug – rare fishing design / circa 1790” is written on ink on a paper label attached to the bottom.

Condition Notes

The mug exhibits no wear or damage.

Comments

The slightly tapered cylindrical mug with a simple handle is made of white porcelain, decorated with two transfer-printed scenes in black, one on each side.  One shows two ladies and a gentleman fishing.  The image placed three figures from English print engraver William Woollet's (1735-1785) "A View of the Canal and of the Gothick Tower in the Garden of His Grace the Duke of Argyl at Whitton," 1757, against a different background.

The other side of the mug pictures three ladies greeting a woman and two children and a dog.  A gentleman hides in trees behind the ladies spying on them.  This latter image was adapted from “The Fortune Teller,” a painting of c. 1710 by French artist Jean-Antoine Watteau (1684-1721).