Printed from Woolley & Wallis

Description

1763 CIDER ACT

A creamware teapot and cover, c.1763-66, the ovoid body painted in black with the inscription 'No Cyder Act', the reverse with 'Apples at Liberty' within red scrolling cartouches, incised with a trellis band, set with crabstock spout and double strap handle, the cover with a floral knop, 16.6cm across. (2)

To pay for the ever-mounting cost of the Seven Years War, Lord Bute introduced the Cider Bill in 1763. Such was its unpopularity, especially in the West Country, that he was forced to resign later that same year in favour George Grenville. Grenville was successful in defeating an opposition motion to repeal the bill the following year, however it was finally repealed in 1766. This style of painting is often associated with the workshops of Robinson and Rhodes of Leeds but recent excavations in Staffordshire have produced similar styles of painting to that of the Leeds workshop.

Provenance: with Sampson & Horne, March 2007, item 07/36 in their catalogue.