An early 19th Century Staffordshire creamware mug, circa 180...

Hammer

£260

An early 19th Century Staffordshire creamware mug, circa 1809, of cylinder form, transfer printed with a satirical image of Mary Ann Thompson (later Clarke), mistress of the Duke of York, and a gentleman, picked out in colours, with verse 'He's Wrong who Terms the Duke a Lawlefs spark For every Bishop is allow'd his CLARK', height 11.5cm.

From 1803 to 1806, Mary Anne Clarke was mistress of Frederick, Duke of York. Their affair turned into a political scandal when the Duke was charged with corruption for promoting officers from whom Clarke had taken bribes. Renounced by the Duke, Clarke proved to be an adept political operator, writing her own revealing memoirs and extracting huge pensions from the government to keep them suppressed.

The phrase "He's wrong who terms the Duke a lawless spark; for every bishop is allowed his clerk" is from Measure for Measure, Act 3, Scene 2, by William Shakespeare. In this scene, Lucio, a character known for his irreverent humour, uses the term "lawless spark" to describe the Duke. The Duke, in disguise as a friar, responds by pointing out that even bishops, who are expected to uphold strict moral standards, have their own subordinates (clarks or clerks) who may not always adhere to the same standards. This suggests that those in positions of authority are not immune to the flaws they seek to correct in others.  A satirical cartoon hinting at the hypocrisy of the Duke.

More Information

Hairline cracks, crazing and staining, but condition commensurate with age and wear.