Marriage mug, probably made at Portobello, Midlothian

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This earthenware marriage mug was made for James and Jean Masterton around 1820, probably at Thomas Rathbone's pottery at Portobello in Midlothian.

The mug is inscribed 'James Jean Masterton' and bears a bust of Queen Caroline, the estranged wife of George IV. Caroline gained a lot of public support when George tried to deprive her of the privileges of being queen.

Good supplies of coal and clay and easy transport by sea meant that the south side of the Firth of Forth was an ideal location for potteries to develop. Small-scale works existed there from the 17th century and larger factories developed from around 1750

Record details

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• Online ID: 000-100-003-223-C
• Image Rights Holder: National Museums Scotland
• Project: National Museums Scotland
  Project description   View all records in project
• Ref: National Museums Scotland  H.MEK 109
• Date: Around 1820
  
• Material: White earthenware. Inscription: Q C; James Jean Masterton
  Mug
  
• Dimensions: 115 mm H x 105 mm D; 110 mm D (base)
  
• What: Mug
  
• Subject: Post-medieval pottery and porcelain (NMAS Classification)
  
• Who: James Masterton
  Jean Masterton
  Queen Caroline
  Rathbone, Portobello (Maker)
  
• Where: Scotland, Midlothian, Edinburgh, Portobello
  
• Event:
• Description: Cylindrical white earthenware mug with concave moulding below the rim and above the foot, with a bust of Queen Caroline, inscribed "James Jean Masterton", possibly by Rathbone of Portobello
  
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