mug & tankard

Summary

Tall cylindrical tankard with spreading foot, and ribbed strap loop handle with pinched and flattened spur at lower terminal. Decorated around foot and beneath neck rim with fine rouletted wavy bands and turned steps. Main body decorated with applied stamped reliefs depicting the capture of Portobello, comprising town and hillside in top right, surrounded by eight battleships to left, right and below, one aiming a cannon. Two figures carrying swords and staffs stand facing each other across the ships. Inscription in top left reads 'THE / BRITISH / GLORY: / REVIV:D / BY / ADMIRAL / VERNON' continuing on right 'HE / TOOK / PORTO / BELLO: / WITH / SIX: / SHIPS: / ONLY: / NOV: / Ye:22: / 1739:'. All instances of letter N positioned back to front.

Display Label

The Thomas Greg Collection The Greg Collection of English Pottery was given to the Gallery in 1904 by collector and amateur historian Thomas Greg. One of the great collections of English pottery, it was formed at a time when little was known about the history of ceramics in this country. Over forty years Greg systematically acquired some of the best examples of the potter's art, tracing its development over a thousand years. His collection tells the story of English pottery: of experiment and invention, triumph and downfall, from the unknown medieval craftsman to the world domination of Josiah Wedgwood. In many ways, it is a history of England itself. Greg was driven by a fascination with the past and a desire to contribute to scholarly knowledge. He gave his collection to the Gallery in the hope of inspiring a similar sense of wonder in others.