Romance online exhibition
Made by Moore and Co of Wear pottery, Southwick, Sunderland
Printed in polychrome and pink lustre
Accession number 1980.419
Samuel Moore made predominantly earthenwares, from 1803-74. The company was formerly John Brunton, subsequently Messrs Glaholm, Lisle and Robson.
Commemorative pottery such as Liverpool ceramics and Sunderland lustre ware of the 18th and 19th centuries was often decorated with popular images of the sailor. One of the most common themes was that of separation – images of women bidding farewell to their loved ones accompanied with mottoes and verses taken from well-known songs of the period.
This punch bowl is decorated with a series of three scenes, each with an accompanying verse, starting in the centre, with the second on the right and the last in the story on the left. The verses read:
'THE SAILOR'S FAREWELL
Far from Home across the Sea
To foreign climes I go
While far away O think of me
And I'll remember youTHE SAILOR'S RETURN
Now safe returned from dangers past
With joy I hail the shore
And fear no more the tempest's blast
Nor Oceans angry roar.The TOKEN on JACK'S safe return
If YOU love's I as I love's YOU
NO PAIR as happy as WE TWO.'
Detail from centre of punch bowl
The following patriotic verse is repeated at the top and bottom of the bowl:
'England England glorious name
Home of freedom star of fame
Light o'er Ocean widely sent
Empress of the element
Gorgeous sea encircled gem
Of the worlds bright diadem
Nations Nations to command
Who but points commanding hand
To thee our own native land.
You can see this item on display in the Lifelines gallery at Merseyside Maritime Museum.