Description:
Large English slipware tyg or drinking vessel with four curled-top loop handles. The slip, which has turned yellow, has been sprinkled with ground copper to produce the overall mottled green pattern on both the outside and inside. The cup is covered with freely drawn stylized sgraffito decoration consisting of three tulips and a bird on the four areas between the handles, over each of which is an inscription and the date "1774". The four inscriptions are: "G W B 1774" (for whom the bowl was inscribed where "G" is probably the first letter of their married name and "W B" the first letters of the first name of the husband and wife, and the date of the marriage); "of liquor good both neat and fine/ to fill me full is your desine 1774"; "The gift is small but/ love is all 1774";and "love and live happy 1774". Donyatt sgraffito ware, as is typical of the southwest of England, often have symbolic decorative motifs such as tulips, hearts, and birds. Some of these are similar to the decoration of northern European and Pennsylvania German folk pottery. The four handles on this communal drinking vessel allowed it to be grasped from the center of the table by any of the guests. The ancient tradition of Wassailing is most common in South Wales, Somerset, and Herefordshire, England. These fantastic earthenware pieces were used by farmers and villagers as part of the New Year celebrations when visits were made from farm to farm and homestead to homestead whilst singing traditional songs. The "Wassailing" bowl would be filled with an alcoholic beverage to toast good fortune and good health. The recipients of the wishes would offer cakes and wine as a reciprocal gesture of goodwill.
Link to share this object record:
https://museums.fivecolleges.edu/detail.php?t=objects&type=ext&id_number=HD+60.127 |
