Lot 706: A Late Victorian / Early 20th Century English Souvenir Mug and German Lidded Beer Stein
A late Victorian / early 20th century English souvenir mug and German lidded beer stein. The glazed earthenware mug features relief-moulded decoration depicting characters from the Devon folk song Widecombe Fair, showing several men in 19th-century riding attire mounted upon a horse. The handle is moulded with the word WIDDICOMBE in capital letters and the upper body of the vessel is inscribed WIDDICOMBE FAIR. Further inscriptions towards the base include the names PETER GURNEY and TOM COBLEIGH AN ALL. The German-style stoneware beer stein is finished with a cobalt blue glaze and relief decoration illustrating a tavern garden scene with figures and a large barrel. A banner above the scene contains the German inscription Das gr. Fa… in a blackletter script. The stein is fitted with a hinged pewter lid featuring embossed foliate patterns and a cast metal thumb-lift. No maker marks or backstamps are visible to the exterior or interior surfaces of either vessel.
Large-scale furniture items; exact dimensions are not provided.
Condition report:
The earthenware mug exhibits widespread and significant fine crazing to the glaze across the entire exterior surface (photo 1 and 3). There is visible surface dirt and minor darkening to the handle, though no chips or cracks are apparent to the body. The stoneware beer stein appears to be in good structural condition with no visible damage to the ceramic. The pewter lid and thumb-lift show significant surface oxidation, tarnishing, and dulling consistent with age and use (photo 4).
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