Description:
English delft mug or caudle cup also known in the period as a "cawdle pott" with handle with a portrait of Charles II (1630-1685) in an ermine robe, crown, and long full-bottomed wig, flanked by the initials "C R D/2" and tall laurel leaves in blue, yellow, and purple-black. On left side, between the laurel leaf and handle, are the initials "*P*/ D * K" over a florish, and the date "1663" over a florish on the right side. Son of the executed Charles I, Charles II was restored to the English throne in 1660; in 1662, he married Catherine of Braganza (1638-1705), daughter of John IV of Portugal, who brought with her a necessary infusion of money into the royal treasury. The portrait on this cup depicts him in ceremonial attire with an ermine robe, crown, and long full-bottomed wig. A wax effigy of Charles II located in Westminster Abbey provides the most accurate representation of the King’s face who was known for his large nose, coarse features, dark coloration, prominent lower lip, and thick eyebrows. The effigy stands 6 feet 2 inches tall, which is consistent with a description of Charles as “a tall man, above two yards high” written after the Battle of Worcester. A great rarity, this cup was formerly in the Howard Collection. The bill states: "This is one of six most famous drinking vessels known in Lambeth Delft, and has been exhibited by Lord Revelstoke, its former owner, at most of the important exhibitions of 17th century Delft ever held in England.", such as the Charles II Loan Exhibition in January, 1932 (Catalogue, #700) and Exhibition of Drinking Vessels held at Vintners' Hall, June 23-July 6, 1933 (Catalogue, pl. 18A). Charles II's portrait appeared on many wares, including this form of wine-cup, which have been excavated on pottery sites in both Lambeth and Southwark, appeared about 1660; dated exampes in Lipski and Archer's "Dated English Delftware" range from 1660-1679. Images of English monarchs from Charles I to George III appear on several forms of delftware such as dishes, plates, wine bottles, punch bowls, and mugs. Clearly some of these portraits derive from contemporary prints, while others are loosely based on caricatures or effigies of the individual. Very often one can identify the monarch only by the accompanying initials. These decorative ceramics served as coronation souvenirs and expressions of loyalty. Caudle cup wasters have been excavated in Lambeth at the Norfolk House factory site, which produced delftware from 1680 to around 1737. Some of the fragments are straight-sided cups, but have different handles. Aileen Dawson in English and Irish Delftware states that this mug could have served beer. These mugs are one of many objects painted with a likeness of King Charles II, and were used to emphasize the loyalty of the drinker to the Stuart line. As Samuel Pepys wrote in his diary on March 6, 1660, "Everybody now drink the King's health without any fear, whereas before it was very private that a man dare do it."
Link to share this object record:
https://museums.fivecolleges.edu/detail.php?t=objects&type=ext&id_number=HD+63.146 |
