John Bull ale jug, 1813

Creamware jug, 1813 (c). White barrel shape, with yellow background, painted with black bands at rim and around two printed vignettes and a printed drinking verse surmounted by the inscription, 'John Scragg 1813', below the spout.

Made to celebrate Army successes in the Peninsular War (1808-1814), this jug depicts, on one side, the character John Bull and his 'companion', the British lion, challenging Napoleon Bonaparte and his 'relation', the devil.

The vignette on the other side is entitled, 'One of the 71st taking a French Officer prisoner in Portugal', and shows a soldier of 71st (Highland) Regiment of Foot (Light Infantry) pointing a musket with fixed bayonet at a French officer who offers him his watch and purse.

The accompanying verse urges drinkers to ''Fill your cups and banish grief, Laugh and worldly care despise. Sorrow ne'er will bring relief, Joy from drinking will arise: So pour this full and sup it up And call for more to fill your cup'.'.