A pair of blue and white transferware Durham Ox...

A pair of blue and white transferware Durham Ox plates, 1st half 19th century, printed with the eponymous bull from the print by J. Whessell after the painting by John Boultbee, within a border of stylized flowerheads and foliate scrolls, 25.5cm. (2)

The Durham Ox was the result of an intensive breeding programme and became famous after being toured around the country by his aristocratic owner. In one day, London tourists paid a total of £97 in admission fees.

Provenance: the Douglas Johnson Collection.