Mug, decorated with Wearmouth Bridge, Sunderland, Tyne & Wear

This earthenware mug is decorated with a view of Wearmouth Bridge in Sunderland in Tyne and Wear. It was possibly made by Dawson's Low Ford Pottery to the west of Sunderland and dates from between around 1815 and 1825.

The front is transfer-printed with a view of the bridge surrounded by the text, 'A west view of the cast Iron Bridge over the River Wear, built by R. Burdon, Esq. span 236', height 100'. Begun 20th September, 1793. Open'd 9th August, 1796.' Inside the mug is a ceramic frog made to look as if it is climbing up the side.

The Wearmouth Bridge was built between 1792 and 1796 by Rowland Burdon, the MP for Sunderland and a partner in a bank at Berwick. It was regarded with great pride in the north-east. At least six local potteries made 'bridge ceramics' which were sold in the north-east to residents, visitors and sailors. They were also sent elsewhere in the UK and exported to Europe and North America as part of the export trade in Sunderland ceramics.

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