View of La Guillotine

William Lane

Summary

Public: Ovoid jug with cylindrical neck, white earthenware with a pearlware glaze, transfer-printed in underglaze blue with repeated scene of 'View of La Guillotine or the modern Beheading Machine at Paris'. Private: Ovoid jug with tall cylindrical neck, of white earthenware with a pearlware glaze, inset lip and scrolling loop handle with outer spur at thumbrest, and outer and inner spurs above outward scrolling lower terminal. Transfer-printed in underglaze blue on each side with scene entitled 'View of LA GUILLOTINE or the modern, Beheading Machine at PARIS. By which LOUIS XVI late King of France, was Beheaded, Jan, 21 1793', comprising figure of Louis XVI in the guillotine to left, his head over a basket on the ground and the executioner standing in front about to drop the blade. Two men stand to right, watching. Neck and lip printed with diamond diaper border to exterior, interrupted by two panels of flowers and butterflies, border repeated on interior with fleurs-de-lys border below. Handle printed with oval-shaped diaper motif.