A good and rare political creamware mug 2nd half 18th century

A good and rare political creamware mug 2nd half 18th century, the barrel shape painted in red and black with a portrait of John Wilkes, titled 'Wilkes & Liberty No.45' in a banner beneath, with feathery scrolls around, a band of impressed ovals to the rim and foot, 12.5cm.

John Wilkes (1725-1798) was a notorious rake, who exposed the scandals of the Hell Fire Club after being expelled from their membership. In issue 45 of his publication, The North Briton, Wilkes' attack on George III's 1763 speech endorsing the Paris Peace Treaty earned him a warrant for his arrest for libel. With strong public support, Wilkes was cleared by the Lord Chief Justice.