Mug

Description

The cast iron bridge built (1793-96) over the Wear River in Sunderland, England, was celebrated in published texts and illustrations in Britain and abroad. Images of it also were reproduced on English ceramics such as this mug, on which a hand-painted version of the scene portrays the bridge. Based on design details, it is likely that this version of the scene copies an illustration from a 1796 "European Magazine" and is inscribed "A WEST VIEW of the IRON BRIDGE over the WEAR near SUNDERLAND. / Span 236 Feet and height 100 Feet. / Published by J[ohn]. Sewell Cornhill [London] July 1.1796." The illustration identifies the engraver as "T. King." The original design for the bridge was, in part, created by Thomas Paine, who was born in England and migrated, eventually becoming important in American politics. Sadly, as "cold-painted" (unfired) decoration like that on this mug does not survive well over time, the poem that once graced side two of the mug is now almost completely eroded away. For Winterthur ceramics portraying more durable, fired transfer-printed views of the Sunderland Bridge, see 1984.0141.192 (a small jug), 1984.0141.236 (a plaque), and 2000.057.029 (a jug).