A curious Liverpool Herculaneum pearlware jug dated 1806

A large Pearlware jug of 'Dutch' shape, lower body engine-turned, applied with an angular handle, inscribed in gold J Wood Emperor of Dog island and King of the Rummons 1806 within a green wreath, the sides printed in puce with 'Bacchanti' and 'love at liberty.'23cms,

Jugs of this shape are known to have been made at Herculaneum, see Alan Smith ,Liverpool herculaneum pottery, pls 30a,30b and 31. The significance of the inscription remains obscure, although it is possible the jug was a jokey present to the (dog loving?) J. Wood. J. Wood might be the John Wood noted as baptizing a daughter in 1798 at St. Nicholas's church, Liverpool, living at Harrington in the Park, very near to the Herculaneum pottery, so possibly a potter there. A letter from the Staffordshire deputy County Council Archivist cites the Staffordshire Advertiser for 18th October, 1806 recording the marriage of Mr James Wood of Rugeley marrying a Miss Marke in St. Paul's Church, Liverpool. Although, it was not possible for the Liverpool Record Office to substantiate this reference, the vendor's family do hail from Rugeley, so it is possible this is the Wood in question. (Bonhams 2004)

Condition -good, No restoration or repair

GBP SOLD Stock No; 0018

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