A creamware jug c.1780

A creamware jug c.1780, printed in black by Thomas Fletcher of Shelton with a sailor and a girl in mourning beside a coffin, titled 'Poor Tom Bowling', the print signed, the reverse with a compass, minor faults, 14cm.

Tom Bowling (or Tom Bowline) was an 18th century generic term for a sailor, following from a popular song written by Charles Dibdin about the death of his brother, a sailor, who was struck by lightning while on deck.