Current Location: Gallery 27 (Glaisher)
Titles
The Execution of Louis XVI King of France
Maker(s)
Factory:
Aynsley, John
Entities
Categories
Description
Cream-coloured earthenware transfer-printed in black with the execution of Louis XVI in 1793
Notes
History note: Sheldon Collection; Puttick & Simpson, 10 October 1919, part of lot 72; the two items purchased for £3 on behalf of Dr J.W.L. Glaisher, FRS, Trinity College, Cambridge.
Legal notes
Dr J. W. L. Glaisher Bequest
Measurements and weight
Height: 12.4 cm
Acquisition and important dates
Method of acquisition: Bequeathed
(1928-12-07)
by
Glaisher, J. W. L., Dr
Dating
18th Century, Late
French Revolution
Circa
1793
-
1794
Note
John Aynsley (1752-1829) of Lane End (now Longton), manufactured earthenwares and china, and is known particularly for transfer-printed ware which he was selling by 1788. The prints, usually in black, often incorporate his signature, 'J. Aynsley, Lane End', or 'John Aynsley, Lane End'. It is not known whether he employed his own engravers or commissioned prints from freelance engravers.
The development of printing on ceramics during the second half of the 18th century promoted the large-scale production of cheap earthenware decorated with commemorative or topical designs, such as the gruesome scene on this mug. Onglaze black printing was sometimes executed in the factory where the pots were manufactured, but could have been done elsewhere by specialists known as black-printers, who purchased plain glazed wares for decoration.
People, subjects and objects depicted
Components of the work
Decoration
composed of
ceramic printing colour
( black)
Body
Materials used in production
cream
Earthenware
Lead-glaze
Techniques used in production
Glazing (coating)
Inscription or legends present
- Text: MASSACRE & EXECUTION OF LOUIS XVI KING OF FRANCE JANY 21 1793 Aged 38 Years 4 Months/An Event most Wonderfull in the History of the World/1 The Guillotine - 2 The Ax - 3 The King - 4 De Fermond His confessor - 5 One of the Executioners Drawing up the Ax immediately after the Execution - 6 the other Executioner holding up the Head of the King & proclaiming Behold the Head of a Tyrant - 7 The Basket for the Head - 8 The long Basket for the Body - 9 De Santere the Commandant General - 10 The Way by which the unfortunate Monarch ascended the Scaffold
- Location: On front
- Method of creation: Transfer-printed
- Type: Inscription
References and bibliographic entries
Related exhibitions
Identification numbers
Accession number: C.733-1928
Primary reference Number: 75948
Old object number: 4122
Stable URI
Audit data
Created: Saturday 6 August 2011
Updated: Tuesday 30 April 2024
Last processed: Tuesday 15 July 2025
Associated departments & institutions
Owner or interested party:
The Fitzwilliam Museum
Associated department:
Applied Arts
