You know by now how fond I am of early transfer decorated children's mugs, though I've gotten pretty particular--looking for especially early ones, or examples I haven't seen before, or ones with a special sort of resonance. What especially drew me to this one (in addition to the imagery itself--poor, hugely empathetic, ultra tolerant, tongue wagging dog!--and fabulous copper lustre banding) is the connection between its "little jockey" subject and the many naive drawings and watercolors of little girls (and boys, too) riding giant dogs, both British and American, from the same era. Of course images circulated then, just as they do now, trickling down and around to yield all manner of manifestations, and morphing in various ways as they did. I like thinking about the circulation and even more about all the permutations--making this little cup thus feel like a vessel in more ways than one.

Just 2 1/4" t x 2 1/4" in diameter; 2 15/16" across at handle. Overall good antique condition, stable and sound with no losses or repairs. A few smudges to the transfer native to its making, one hairline crack on undecorated side, and some staining/roughness to the interior bottom.