Agricultural Swing Riot Engraved Rummer c1830

Description

Heading : An engraved rummer 
Period : George IV / William IV – c1830
Origin : England 
Colour : Clear 
Bowl : Bucket – engraving explained below 
Stem : Capstan 
Stem Features : Terraced annular collar above a blade knop above a cushion 
Foot : Conical 
Pontil : Snapped 
Glass Type : Lead 
Size :  12.5cm height. 8.7cm diameter bowl. 6.9cm diameter bowl 
Condition : Excellent. no chips or cracks 
Restoration : None 
Weight: 220 grams 

The Swing riots of 1830 were driver by an agricultural variant of Luddism. The Luddites objected to the use of mechanisation in weaving and textiles the Swing rioters. objected to the use of modern machinery within agriculture. This was also driven by the enclosure acts which denuded the amount of common land available to smallholders and agricultural workers from which to supplement their living. There was a great deal of sympathy for the rioters within the tennant farming community but not the gentry who were the greatest beneficiaries of the enclosure acts.

The symbols also have a connenction with mmasonic symbolism. The sheaf of corn represents represents the fruits of ones labour and the harvest. The scythe and the sickle serve to remind the user of the fragility of life and that it can end at any time. These symbols were adopted by the those supportive of the rioters as evidenced by the numerous urviving letters sent by the fictitious ‘Captain Swing’ bering thee same sybols It is also engraved with the monogram AJ.

Georgian glass rummers are among the most usable of all 18th century antique Georgian drinking glasses. A rummer glass is most versatile they make a fine generous wine glass or beer glass.

References :

English and Irish Glass by Geoffrey Wills part 2 Fig. 14