Creamware mug printed in black with Toby Fillpot. The copper-plate is signed by Richard Abbey as engraver. By 1781 Abbey had moved from Liverpool to Glasgow, where the birth of his daughter in that year is recorded in the register of St Andrew's by the Green. It describes him as "Richard Abbey painter at the Delfthouse an Englishman." Engravings by Abbey may therefore be expected on Scottish creamware. He is said to have spent time in France before returning to Liverpool in the 1790s. Printers' signatures indicate that he supplied engraved copper-plates to Liverpool and Staffordshire pottery printers.   

" /> Printed British Pottery & Porcelain | Mug
National Museums Liverpool 31.12.74.1

Pattern

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Source

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Source Description:

 

"Toby Fillpot", printed by Carington Bowles, 1786.

"Dear Tom this brown jug that now foams with mild Ale / (In which I will drink to sweet Nan of the Vale) / Was once Toby Fillpot, a thirsty old Soul / As e'er drank a Bottle or fathom'd a Bowl. / In Boozing about t'was...

Additional Image:

"Toby Fillpot" is the name on the jug of ale which the drinker holds. An unaccompanied name on the side of a jug is usually that of the intended drinker. The whole point of the Toby Fillpot poem, however, is that the drinker is made into the clay of the jug itself. Is Toby Fillpot pouring or being poured from? Perhaps it is a cycle of Toby Fillpots, and you join the cycle yourself by drinking from this mug.  

 

Shape Type: Miscellaneous

Pattern Type: Genre Scenes

Date: c. 1786-1805

Dimensions:

  • Diameter: 3.50 in (8.90 cm)
  • Height: 4.72 in (12.00 cm)
  • Length: 5.08 in (12.90 cm)

Maker: Unknown

Engraver: Richard Abbey

Engraver's Mark:

Printed
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Description:

Creamware mug printed in black with Toby Fillpot. The copper-plate is signed by Richard Abbey as engraver. By 1781 Abbey had moved from Liverpool to Glasgow, where the birth of his daughter in that year is recorded in the register of St Andrew's by the Green. It describes him as "Richard Abbey painter at the Delfthouse an Englishman." Engravings by Abbey may...


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