Another embodiment of my never ending obsession with very old things bearing phrases that feeling newly resonant in the present. Very early 19th century, this is a scarce one, and early children's mugs in brilliant canary yellow tend to be the more precious among them. Originally, and especially as a lesson for children, "Innocence is a Lovely Ornament," would have signified the attractiveness of innocence, a trait to be held onto and cherished--but now, I can't help but to read the "lovely ornament" as describing a luxury and happy indulgence of another era --i.e. innocence is a lovely ornament, but knowing is essential. Really, I think there are few things better to collect than these, vessels of many sorts at once! And it looks like there is a sweet, very tiny very old rim repair to this one, where one single flower/finial on that top border was repainted.
2 1/4" t x 2 1/8" d x 2 3/4" across at handle. Overall very good antique condition, with general wear and the one tiny rough spot/repainting over a tiny chip to rim, as documented and which I very much like.
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