Many transferware pieces were made to make a social statement, political or otherwise. One of the popular themes of the first quarter if the 19th century was the issue of slavery. Don’t forget, these pieces were produced in Britain for primarily the American market. See the two “anti-slavery” plates known as the “Lovejoy” and the “Tyrant’s Foe.” Each plate contains the First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution. The maker of these is unknown, but they were made around 1850 at the height of the abolitionist movement in the United States. Much earlier, about 1825, the island of Jamaica was embroiled in the same issues regarding slavery. This 4 inch tall by 5.5 inches wide mug depicts a group of Jamaican slaves in a cane field with winding path. On the reverse is a poem by William Cowper (1731-1800) which reads: Why did all-creating nature Make the plant for which we toil Sighs must fan it, tears must water Sweat of ours must dress the soil. This depicts the Jamaican Slave Revolt which led to their partial emancipation in 1831, though it was not until a second revolt in 1865 that the slaves became fully freed and able to become land owners. The alternate name for the listing of this mug in the database, Jamaican Slave Complaint, describes the subject of the poem and is a TCC Assigned Name.
Posted on: Mon, 17 Mar 2014 14:53:01 +0000
Trending Topics
Recently Viewed Topics
© 2015