Jug

Creamware jug, transfer-printed in pale sepia. On one side a sailor's farewell scene with the sailor standing on a promontory, holding his girl's hand and pointing to a cherub in the sky, ships in the background. Two verses of Charles Dibdin's 'Poor Jack' are printed below. 'POOR JACK/I said to our poll, for you see she would cry,/When last we weigh'd anchor for Sea/What argufies sniveling and piping your Eye/Why what a damned fool you must be,/Can't you see the world's wide & there's room/for us all both for seamen and Lubber's ashore./And if to old Davy I should go my Dear poll/Why you never will hear of me more,/ What then all's a hazard, come, don't be so soft/Perhaps I may laughing come back/For d'ye see there's a cherub sits smiling aloft/To keep watch for the life of poor Jack.' On the other side, Britannia mourns, head on hand, with the shield of Nelson's arms. French and Spanish flags are shown in the background and a laurel wreath above. 'BRITANNIA leaning upon his Lordship's armorial/ensigns, accompanied by her Lion, protecting/the Union Shield and Spear, mourns for the loss of her/illustrious Hero LORD NELSON'. Under the lip: 'Behold upon the swelling wave/With streaming pendants gay/Our gallant ship invites the brave/And glory leads the way/Stout built and manned right/Our foes we thus defy/And when they come within our sight/Have mercy they do cry'. British flags are shown above and a gun on a naval carriage below.

Object Details

ID: AAA4491
Collection: Decorative art
Type: Jug
Display location: Not on display
Creator: Unknown
Events: Napoleonic Wars: Battle of Trafalgar, 1805
Date made: After 1805
People: Nelson, Horatio; Fawssett, A. C.
Credit: National Maritime Museum, Greenwich, London, Fawssett Collection
Measurements: Overall: 220 x 220 x 160 mm