Lot 65: Victorian Staffordshire Farmers Arms Earthenware Cider Mug
A Victorian earthenware cider mug featuring a cream glaze and black transfer-printed decoration. The cylindrical body is decorated with agricultural motifs, centred on a panel containing a poem titled The Farmers Song. The text of the poem is as follows: I live on my farm in a beautiful vale, Ye lovers of nature attend to my tale; No pride or ambition find room in my breast: Those venomous foes of contentment and rest: From sound healthy sleep I rise up every morn To toil in my fields with my cattle and corn. And prefer while of rural employment I sing The life of a Farmer to that of a King. This verse is framed by a wreath containing a plough, a rake, a scythe, ears of wheat, and farmyard birds. Above the poem, a ribbon banner reads GOD SPEED THE PLOUGH. The base of the mug bears a black transfer-printed mark consisting of a ribbon banner containing the words FARMERS ARMS positioned above the initials B. W. & Co. A bright orange adhesive sticker reading 65 is attached to the upper rim, and a white card string tag is tied to the handle (photo 1).
Condition report:
The mug exhibits prominent and extensive fine-line crazing throughout the glaze on the exterior, interior, and handle (photo 1). Minor dark spots and staining are visible within the crazed surface, particularly on the interior and base (photo 1, 2). There are no significant chips or structural cracks visible in the provided images.
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