A.E.Gray & Co.Ltd.
“Arms of the Shipwright’s Company” Jug
1914
Physical Qualities
Earthenware, transfer-printed and luster decoration, 7 1/2 × 6 13/16 × 4 1/2 in. (19.1 × 17.3 × 11.4 cm.)
Credit Line
Bequest of H. Morris Whitehurst, Baltimore
Object Number
1988.1354
This earthenware jug includes two transfer printed features. On one side there is a poem surrounded by a garland of flora. At the crown of the garland there is an image of a jug that likely reads “Old Tobbys Jug,” potentially referencing Toby Jugs or the name of the verse. The opposite side features a coat of arms adorned with shells and other marine motifs. On each side of the coat stands a white man, as well as a ship. In the center of the coat is a smaller boat. Notice the trophy of navel emblems at the bottom of the print.
Original medium line: Earthenware, pink lustre ground, black transfer-printing
Inscribed: Poem on one side of jug: ‘Fill your cups and banish grief. / Laugh and worldly care despise. / Sorrow neer will bring relief. Joy from drinking will bring arise (?). / So pour this full and sup it up. / And call for more to fill your cup.’ Inscription on the image of the jug above the transfer printed poem ‘Old Tobeys Jug’ Inscription over second print: ‘The Shipwright’s Arms’
