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A large and early North Devon slipware harvest jug, dated 1740 image 1
A large and early North Devon slipware harvest jug, dated 1740 image 2
Lot 288

A large and early North Devon slipware harvest jug, dated 1740

1 December 2021, 10:30 GMT
London, Knightsbridge

Sold for £3,187.50 inc. premium

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A large and early North Devon slipware harvest jug, dated 1740

In a deep honey-coloured glaze, the generous globular form with a plain strap handle, the pinched neck sgraffito decorated with a formal chevron border and the initials 'W P' flanking the pouring lip, the front with a large heart-shaped panel inscribed 'Now I am com for to Sup-/ Ply your work men when that/ Thy are Dry In harvast time when/ Thy in Labor heard Do swet Good Drink/ Is beter for then miet and in winter when/ It is Could I Lik wais then Good bear/ Can hould both Se Sans Do Good Drink/ ReQuier this most men do the same/ Disire 1740 W Pope', above a formal spray of three leaves, the initials 'R W' below, flanked on both sides by a 'sun in splendour', one bearing teeth and the other smiling, 37.5cm high

Footnotes

The verse reads 'Now I am come for to supply, your workmen when that they are dry, in harvest time when they in labour hard and sweet, good drink is better far than meat, and in Winter when it is cold, I likewise then good beer can hold, both Seasons and good drink require, this most men do the same desire'. Beer was drunk for quick energy release during hard labour, especially during harvest time. This jug was likely commissioned as a wedding present as suggested by the heart-shaped panel. The two 'suns in splendour' may be male and female, symbolising the happy couple. The initials 'W P' and 'R W' likely represent the couple, whereas W Pope is probably the potter. A jug dated 1724 from the Glaisher Collection with a North Devon pedigree, inscribed with another variation of the same verse, is in the Fitzwilliam Museum (inv. no.GL.C.59-1928). See also the armorial example dated 1748 attributed to Barnstaple or Bideford in the Chipstone Foundation collection, Wisconsin (inv. no.1994.10) which has a similar inscription also in a heart-shaped panel.

Additional information

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