God Speed The Plough Mug Farmers Arms 2 Pint Cider Tankard Antique c 1840

A large antique earthenware "God speed the Plough" and "Success to the Farmer" ale, cider, beer or tea mug or tankard decorated with black transferware prints that have been hand coloured with underglaze colours, sometimes termed "Prattware". This mug is for a thirsty person as it has a capacity of two pints, a quart, forty fluid ounces or 1.14 litres depending upon your preferred units of measurement.

It features on the front an images often termed the "TheFarmer's Arms" which is flanked by representations of the farmer with pickaxe and shovel, his wife who is churning butter, a central sheaf of wheat and surrounded by animals and farming implements The animals include a dog, cow, horse and pig and the large number of farming implements; including a plough, rake, scythes, pitchfork, axe, winnow, hammer, shears tongs, muskets etc. There is a central rococo scroll band of ribbon with the text "Trust in God" and " The husbandmans diligence provides bread".

On the rear of this beautiful antique tankard  there is a verse which is surrounded by more images of farming produce and implements including a beehive and chicken. At the top is a scroll with the text "In God is all our trust" below which is the verse:

Let the Wealthy and Great
Roll in Splendour and State.
I envy them not I declare it.
I eat my own lamb
My own chickens and ham.
I shear my own fleece and I wear it.
I have lawns, I have bowers
I have fruits I have flowers.
The lark is my morning alarmer.
So my jolly boys now
Heres God speed the Plough,
Long life and success to the Farmer.

Below this verse is another image of a plough and ribbon scroll that states : "Industry produceth wealth"

Inside the mug around the top are hand coloured transfer prints of wheat and oats. and on the handle there are similar prints of hops. There is an underglaze brown enamel rim. It is an attractive, amusing and collectable pottery tankard, mug or single handed drinking vessel.

There are no maker's marks as is usual with this type of ware but it was possibly produced in Liverpool by Herculaneum Pottery then in Lancashire, England. We have seen a number of very similar mugs with the identical print attributed to Liverpool. This mug dates from around 1840 and is a great item for any collector of farming related pottery, ceramics with verses or agricultural harvest items.

It is in very good antique condition, no chips  there is some glaze crazing and associated discolouration and minor fritting and a small crack across the base of the handle. Please see the images

Free UK postage with this item , International postage at cost.

Height 4 3/4 inches ( 12 cm)
Length 6 1/2 inches (16.5 cm)
Diameter 5 1/4 inches (13.3 cm)
Weight 655 grammes unpacked