Duke of Cumberland – Butcher Cumberland Pratt Ware Mug

Description

Heading : A Pratt Ware type mug
Date : 1790s
Period : George III
Marks : None
Origin : UK. See below
Colour : Polychrome
Features : Prince William Augustus The Duke of Cumberland ( aka ‘Butcher Cumberland’) on horseback opposite a depiction of Hercules slaying Hydra
Condition : Very good. Some old ‘overspray’ restoration to the handle
Dimensions : Height 10.3cm,
Weight :

It is almost impossible to positively attribute this to a specific pottery. Such high relief decorated lead glaze earthenwares were made in Scotland, North East and North West England, Yorkshire , Staffordshire and Devon.

Prince William was the 6th child of George II. Best known for crushing the Jacobites and Culloden and his subsequent purge of the Highlands earning him the sobriquet ‘Butcher’. He was much admired by The Lowland Scotts and was a hero to many non-catholics south of the border. Hercules slaying the Hydra leaves no doubt as to the sentiment of the potter. A hero to many and villain to those with Jacobite affectations.

Reference : Pratt Ware- English and Scottish relief decorated and underglaze coloured earthenware– J and G Lewis p160