A rare political creamware jug, 2nd half 18th century, the barrel shape painted in red and black

A rare political creamware jug, 2nd half 18th century, the barrel shape painted in red and black with a portrait of John Wilkes, with feathery scrolls around, a band of impressed ovals to the rim and foot, with a mask jug, a restored crack, 15.5cm.

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.