Description:
Tithes, one-tenth parts of all agricultural produce, were levied as a tax by the Anglican Church from the agricultural poor and were bitterly unpopular. This figural group satirizes the tithe claimed by the local vicar, who is offered a baby instead of a pig by the woman. English pearlware, press-molded figurine titled "The Tithe Pig", decorated in green, red, blue, brown, yellow, and black. The figurine depicts a standing man holding a pig, a seated woman holding a baby, and a minister with his hands folded looking at the couple, all standing in front of a large, flowering tree. On the green ground in front of the figures, there are animals, a basket with produce, and sheaves of wheat; and the forefront has scrolled, shell-shapes in blue and white. The figure depicts Farmer Hob (holding a pig )and his wife (holding newborn child) meeting the local vicar. The church rented land and the common practice was to levy a "tythe" as part of the rent. This practice was very tough on the poor and there was a national feeling that it should be abolished. The group captures the moment when Hob's wife offers the baby as part of their produce and states "If you do not take the child there will no handing over of the pig". Hence the rather startled expression on the clergyman's face. This practice imposing a tythe eventually diminished and was replaced by other devices such as ground rent.
Link to share this object record:
https://museums.fivecolleges.edu/detail.php?t=objects&type=ext&id_number=HD+62.141 |
