Grace Before Meat, c. 1830s Satirical Staffordshire Transferware Child's Mug

Regular price $65.00

You know I love these 19th c. Staffordshire transferware child's mugs, and this is a weird one! Most often, they depict children engaged in various games learning lessons of one sort of another, but this one features adults only (who feel quite Gorey-esque to me), one seeming to gesture to the other to be seated at the table, but with text overhead reminding "Grace before Meat." Great details, including a series of pictures hanging on the wall.

I am pretty certain the "Grace Before Meat" slogan references an 1823 essay of the same name by Charles Lamb, early nineteenth-century English essayist, ruminating on the tension/disconnect between the lives of the rich vs humble prayers of thanks said at mealtime, as the wealthy faced no real risk of going hungry. The mug dates to the 1830s or so, and I believe is topical and pointedly satirical in nature, portraying the unholiest of the luxury class. 

2 3/4" t x 2 3/4" in diameter; 3 1/2" across at handle. There is one noticeable chip on at the rim nearish to the handle. Otherwise very good condition.