This item & several like this one never had Spode pattern numbers, they were 'specials' introduced as a patriotic range of items at the out-break of the Napoleonic Wars. A very similar earthenware jug produced by Josiah Spode II c1803 has just been on display at the British Museum (12th Jan-13th March 2018) in an exhibition entitled 'Pots with Attitude' which showcased political & satirical prints on historic English ceramics. This particular shape was known at Spode as a 'Low Dutch Jug' even though it stands 7.5 inches tall or 19 cms.
The original print was published by Samuel William Fores, Print Publishers of 50 Piccadilly Street, London on 29th October 1803. It depicts John Bull & Boney (Napoleon Bonaparte) facing off outside Fores shop window which is decked out like a toy shop with views of London's major buildings.
John Bull (the adult) is flamboyantly dressed in London Volunteer Regimentals and the weeping Boney (child) is crying for some playthings, his finger indicates that he would like just that little one in the corner.
John Bull as a satirical character had been around in English politics since 1712. He was a solid, stocky, conservative, well-meaning, English middle-class, countryside dweller. The name 'Bull' was to suggest virile, strong & stubborn but the character was full of common-sense & much preferred his roast beef, small beer & domestic peace. However the character represents the backbone of England & those who had sufficient financial reasons to defend it against invaders.
Josiah Spode II was himself a volunteer spare-time cavalryman, with the rank of Captain he commanded the Pottery Troop of Volunteers. These volunteer groups had been formed all over England early in 1798 when a French invasion seemed imminent. The pottery district was particularly patriotic & this was but one of several corps in the district. Each of its 70+ men was mounted and equipped at his own expense which means it must have been the reserve of the well-to-do. I think this also informs us that the pottery district had quite a few wealthy industrialists at this time.
You can see the usual Spode gilding down this handle & sadly you can also see the many cracks that this jug has sustained over the last 200+ years. It is none-the-less a very important piece of English ceramic history.
The print is titled, 'John Bull guarding the Toy Shop, or Boney crying for some play things'
John Bull says, 'I tell you - you shan't touch one of them.....so blubber away & be d.......d!'
Boney has asked, 'Pray Mr Bull, let me have some of the Toys, if 'tis only that little one in the corner', and he points, it has been suggested, towards the Bank of England. However if you look at the original print I think the artist was referring to India House, the London headquarters of the East India Trading Company from which much of British India was governed. I suspect that Boney was looking to increase his Empire considerably!
By 1803, at the height of its rule in India, the British East India company had a private army of about 260,000—twice the size of the British Army, with Indian revenues of £13,464,561. The company eventually came to rule large areas of India with its private armies, exercising military power and assuming administrative functions.
These special Spode items were produced as Jugs & Tankards in creamware & bone china & were probably aimed at the wealthy 'Ale House' market; the 'John Bulls' of England . None of the few pieces which have come to light over recent years are marked as Spode.
An original print of this cartoon can be seen at the British Museum here:
There was a series of similar prints produced and printed on Spode ceramics which you can read about in the excellent book 'Spode Transfer Printed Ware 1784-1833' written by David Drakard & Paul Holdway
This Spode Low Dutch Jug came to me from a dealer in America
This special Spode Jug will be on display at the Art & Antiques for Everyone Spring Fair 2-5th April 2020 at the NEC Birmingham, UK (Hall 12). The display will be organised by the Spode Society to celebrate the 250th Anniversary of the Spode & Copeland business & will comprise a collection of privately owned & loaned items. A full colour brochure will accompany the exhibition & will detail all the exhibits.