Commemorative creamware Beaker with rare portrait named Wilkes and Liberty English pottery circa 1780

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£11000

Dated: 1780 English

The creamware pottery beaker is an exceptional and significant commemorative of the English MP John Wilkes. The portrait of Wilkes is expressive and of fine quality, with the inscription Wilkes & Liberty in a banner forming part of a decorative framing cartouche. The reverse of the beaker is decorated with No.45 within an enamel-decorated cartouche. Wilkes was an English MP serving in parliament from 1757-1790. He supported civil liberties and sided with the American Rebels in the war against the British. As a result, Wilkes was a hero to radicals in Britain and North America, and the slogan "Wilkes and Liberty" was heard on both sides of the Atlantic. It is rare to find a portrait commemorative of John Wilkes, adding immense historical importance to the piece.

Dimensions: 3.2 inches high

Current Condition: There are three faint hairlines to the body professionally restored otherwise in very good clean condition.

Provenance: Retains paper labels of Gary Atkins and the Birkett Collection London.

£11000    $12649

Description

The creamware pottery beaker is an exceptional and significant commemorative of the English MP John Wilkes. The portrait of Wilkes is expressive and of fine quality, with the inscription Wilkes & Liberty in a banner forming part of a decorative framing cartouche. The reverse of the beaker is decorated with No.45 within an enamel-decorated cartouche. Wilkes was an English MP serving in parliament from 1757-1790. He supported civil liberties and sided with the American Rebels in the war against the British. As a result, Wilkes was a hero to radicals in Britain and North America, and the slogan “Wilkes and Liberty” was heard on both sides of the Atlantic. It is rare to find a portrait commemorative of John Wilkes, adding immense historical importance to the piece.

Additional information

Dimensions 3.2 in