Antique Child's Mug Temperance Movement ‘Firm As An Oak’ Red Transfer Ware C 1835

Goodness me, we absolutely love this little mug, and we cannot wait to send it to its next guardian, who we know will love it too....100% guaranteed!

This rare little mug was produced in England during the 19th century, circa 1835. The mug features a red transfer printed design and documents a fascinating piece of social history.

This very finely potted mug was produced to support the temperance movement. The temperance movement in the United Kingdom was a social movement that campaigned against the recreational use and sale of alcohol, and promoted total abstinence (teetotalism). Its leaders emphasized alcohol's negative effects on people's health, personalities and family lives.

The highly detailed scene features a young man and a young lady with their children next to them holding two banners reading ‘sobriety’ and ‘domestic comfort.’ The remaining banners read ‘Firm as an oak’ and ‘Be thou faithful unto death.’ The extremely detailed central plaque called ‘The Temperance Arms’ reads ‘Industry, Freedom, Plenty, Health, Wealth, Wisdom, IHS.’ Each compartment of the shield features a tiny depiction for example a man walking by sunrise to depict ‘health’.

We have to say that the transfer printing on this mug is SUPERB!! The attention to detail in the scene is absolutely incredible. Notice the broken drinking vessels beneath the plaque and the central oak tree. The history of this movement is fascinating; The Temperance Arms plaque seemed to first appear in the 1830s and the plaque was found in print wares in the United Kingdom, Ireland and The United States.

This is an extremely rare item; we have not been able to find another example like it. This is the perfect piece for anyone who collects early nursery ware, transfer ware or anyone who has a passion for social history!

Measuring: Width including handle 3 3/8 inch (8.5 cm) by height 2.5 inch (6.2 cm).

Condition: Very good. Two less than 0.5 inch scratches to surface, not hairlines, near the ‘domestic comfort’ banner.

ITEM ID:13741