Period: Georgian/Late Regency, c. 1825-30
Maker: Derby Porcelain Works (Bloor Period)
This giant Late Regency Derby porter mug is hand-painted with a view of Carisbrooke Castle on the Isle of Wight, bordered in gilt with C-scrolls, stylised leaves and flower heads. There are further stylised fronds and flower heads on either side of the sturdy handle.
‘Carisbrook Castle’ is painted in iron-red cursive script on the bottom, There is also a circular ‘Bloor Derby’ printed mark in iron red. Robert Bloor took control of the Derby factory in 1811. The circular Bloor Derby mark was used from 1825 to 1848.
English Heritage describes Carisbrooke as “the quintessential romantic castle.” Parts of the fortifications date back to Saxon times, but the famous gatehouse depicted on the mug is 14th Century. During the English Civil War, King Charles I was imprisoned at Carisbrooke from 1647-48 and made two unsuccessful attempts to escape. Not long afterwards he was beheaded in Whitehall, London, in 1649.
Porter is a dark beer developed in London in the early 18th Century. The name derives from its popularity with street and river porters. Stout and Guinness originated as varieties of porter.
Condition Hairline crack extending 8 cm down from the rim. Some gilt rubbing, mainly to rim. The painting of the castle is in good order.
Height: 12.9 cm; Diameter: 13.2 cm; Width, incl. handle: 17.5 cm
Net weight: 573 g
Medium: Bone china (porcelain)
