PROVING the highlight of the commemoratives offered by Special Auction Services (15% buyer’s premium) in the wake of the Leslie Crowther collection of pot lids and Prattware on June 7 was this George III King and Constitution earthenware beaker.
To one side the 3 3/4in (9cm) high beaker - possibly made by
Wedgwood - carries a black printed half-length portrait of the
monarch together with military insignia and a map of Cuba.
To the other is the slogan King and Constitution, first noted
around 1793 at the time of the outbreak of war with Revolutionary
France.
It is a great rarity but was damaged with clever restoration and
repainting across the portrait bust likely concealing a substantial
crack or break.
There were knowledgeable dealers and collectors who considered it
correctly pitched at £800-1200 but - reaffirming the old adage that
an item sold at auction is worth only what two people are prepared
to pay for it - two specialists competed it to £2800.
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