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Mug: C.1343-1928

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An image of Mug
Current Location: Gallery 27 (Glaisher)

Maker(s)

Pottery: Norfolk House (Probably)

Entities

Categories

Description

Tin-glazed earthenware painted in blue

Buff earthenware, thrown with applied handle, tin-glazed and painted in blue; the base has been partly wiped free of glaze. The jug has a bulbous body, a wide cylindrical neck, and an applied handle of D-section. It is decorated in panels on either side with half-length portraits of King William III flanked by the initials W R, and Queen Mary II with M R, separated by scrolls. The outside of the handle is also decorated with scrolls.

Notes

History note: Mrs Meredith collection, Little Massingham Manor, Massingham, Norfolk; sold Christie's, 6 May 1919, Old English pottery and porcelain, Mrs Meridith et al, part of lot 21; bought by Stoner for 20 guineas (£24.10s.0d. with commission) on behalf of Dr J.W.L. Glaisher, FRS, Trinity College, Cambridge

Legal notes

Dr J.W.L. Glaisher Bequest

Measurements and weight

Height: 9.8 cm
Width: 10.7 cm
Width: 8.4 cm

Acquisition and important dates

Method of acquisition: Bequeathed (1928-12-07) by Glaisher, J. W. L., Dr

Dating

17th Century, Late
William III and Mary II
Circa 1689 CE - 1694 CE

Note

Made in London, probably at Norfolk House, Lambeth, between 1689 and the death of Mary II in 1694

School or Style

Baroque

People, subjects and objects depicted

Components of the work

Decoration composed of high-temperature colour ( blue from cobalt)
Visible Surfaces composed of tin-glaze
Base Diameter 5.4 cm
Body
Handle

Materials used in production

buff Earthenware

Inscription or legends present

Inscription present: W on viewer's left of the King's head and R on the right

  • Text: W R
  • Location: On either side of portrait of William III
  • Method of creation: Painted in blue
  • Type: Initials

Inscription present: M on the viewer's left of the Queen's head and R on the right

  • Text: M R
  • Location: On either side of portrait of Mary II
  • Method of creation: Painted in blue
  • Type: Initials

References and bibliographic entries

Related exhibitions

Identification numbers

Accession number: C.1343-1928
Primary reference Number: 71841
Old object number: 4646

Audit data

Created: Saturday 6 August 2011 Updated: Tuesday 11 November 2025

Associated departments & institutions

Owner or interested party: The Fitzwilliam Museum
Associated department: Applied Arts

Citation for print

This record can be cited in the Harvard Bibliographic style using the text below:

The Fitzwilliam Museum (2025) "Mug" Web page available at: https://data.fitzmuseum.cam.ac.uk/id/object/71841 Accessed: 2025-12-06 00:29:37

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{{cite web|url=https://data.fitzmuseum.cam.ac.uk/id/object/71841 |title=Mug |author=The Fitzwilliam Museum|accessdate=2025-12-06 00:29:37|publisher=The University of Cambridge}}

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