Description:
Thrown, delftware mug (6 inches tall) in a curving inverted bell shape and is decorated in cobalt blue with a profile bust of Frederick the Great with his arm outstretched, below him written in script is "The King of Prussia", a panoply of arms with flags, and battle trophies. The mug has a strap handle with a blue squiggle down the length of the handle. This mug commemorates the alliance between England and Prussia against France and her allies during the Seven Years War (1756-1763). As a result of his victories, Frederick II enjoyed popularity both in Britain and America. On September 8, 1756, the secretary of state, Lord Holdernesse wrote to Andrew Mitchell, the British ambassador in Prussia, observing “Our constant toast here now is, success to the King of Prussia: he grows vastly popular among us…” These slogans, wishing success to the King of Prussia, could also be found on ceramic wares and were distributed in England and exported to her North American colonies. His portrait bust, opposite the handle, is about to be wreathed by a cherub flying above and battle trophies are on the ground next to him. The shape and the decoration were undoubtedly derived from contemporary transfer printed mugs created by the Worcester porcelain factory, c. 1757. The image of the King of Prussia is based on a 1736 full length portrait of him painted by Antoine Pesne (Royal Collection Trust), and later engraved by Richard Houston. Unlike the Worcester Porcelain Factory prototype, the banners within the military trophy are not inscribed with the names of the nine victorious battles won by the King during the Seven Years War, e.g. "Reisberg./Prague./Collin," "Welham./Rossback./Breslaw.," "Neumark./Lissa.Breslaw." King of Prussia decoration is known on English delftware plates and punch bowls but very rarely on mugs. Also the most commonly encountered delftware with King of Prussia decoration is hastily painted and often just inscribed "KP." The condition of the mug is very good. There is a very tight hairline crack extending from the mug's rim three inches into the body. There are also chips to the rim of the mug. Otherwise no repairs or restorations.
Link to share this object record:
https://museums.fivecolleges.edu/detail.php?t=objects&type=ext&id_number=HD+2018.4 |
