Tankard

Date1756-1757

MediumWhite salt-glazed stoneware

DimensionsOH: 7 1/8"; OL: 6 11/16" (including handle); OD: 4 7/8" (body at widest point).

Credit LineMuseum Purchase

Object number1959-337

DescriptionMug: white; cylindrical with spreading foot and strap loop handle; molded in relief with scene inscribed "MIDNIGHT CONVERSATION' showing a table with punch bowl, 2 men seated, 3 standing, and 1 fallen from chair, also a child, a woman, candlesticks, glasses, a dog, a pot, etc. spread throughout. Scene flanked with panels of wild animals: deer, fish, bird, crocodile; below 4 shields each encircled by olive leaves and separated by birds or handle. Left to right: shield quartered with Greek cross, 3 leaves, Greek cross (Granville Leveson-Cower); shield with 3 horizontal lines (ram rods, Berie); shield with 3 mittens (Henry Vane); and shield with 3 arrows (possibly Hale). Band of foliation at foot.ProvenanceEx coll: Marc-Louis Emmanuel Solon (1835-1912) Collection sold in Hanley Nov. 26 to 28, 1912 (according to Sotheby it was lot 349, pl. XIII) Charles F.C. Luxmore (living 1914 to 1924) in collection in 1914 (Published: Luxmore, SALTGLAZE (Exeter, 1924), pl. 42. (book prepared in 1914, but not published until 1924). Mrs. Radcliffe, sold at auction in 1959 (Published: Sotheby & Co., CATALOGUE OF FINE ENGLISH POTTERY, Oct. 15, 1959 (London, 1959), lot 125) at least 53 pieces in the Radcliffe sale were previously in the Luxmoore collection.