coffee cups

Wedgwood, Thomas & Wedgwood, John

Summary

Public: Pair of matching octagonal coffee cups with loop handles, white salt-glazed stoneware, decorated in relief with panels containing scenes of figures and animals. Private: Pair of matching octagonal coffee cups, each with everted rim, tapered base on octagonal foot, and slightly ribbed loop handle with spur at lower terminal. Body slip-cast with eight vertical relief panels of fantastical creatures and naked figures. Panels comprise, from right of handle; reclining naked figure, surmounting unicorn, above figure of an archer; huntsman with bow and arrow and dog, standing beneath bird in a tree, above fruit bowl(?); coat of arms bearing three quatrefoils, surmounting stag and bird; two figures either side of table bearing large teapot, kettle on a stove below; crowned double-headed eagle, surmounting leafy spray; coat of arms bearing three stags, surmounting naked figure above two smaller figures; bearded head in profile, surmounting gryphon with dead bird in its mouth, above two seated figures flanking large heart; scene from Aesop's Fables illustrating fox and stork, surmounting figure astride a lion, above a swan. Poor quality reliefs, suggesting use of well worn mould. Burst bubbles visible in stoneware body.

Display Label

Thomas Tylston Greg collected English ceramics dating from the 1600s. His ceramic collecting from the 18th century includes many objects relating to hot drinks because of the increase in demand for wares to serve these new beverages. Greg collected because he was interested in pottery, not because he was seeking to illustrate the history of tea or coffee.