'What time do they feed the sea-lions, Alf?', Bairnsfather Ware tea cup, 1919 (c)

Earthenware cup, no maker's mark. White body with overglazed sepia transfer printed decoration of a cartoon by Lieutenant Bruce Bairnsfather entitled, 'What time do they feed the sea-lions, Alf?' which features the characters, 'Old Bill', 'Alf' and 'Bert'. The reverse shows a bird perched on a wooden stump supporting barbed wire strands. Printed around the rim are illustrations of a German pickelhaube helmet, a mouse with a tin of corned beef, a mess tin, a cap, a water bottle, a helmet and a pot of plum and apple jam. Transfer-printed on the base of the cup is a study of 'Old Bill'.

Charles Bruce Bairnsfather (1888-1959) served with the Royal Warwickshire Regiment on the Western Front during World War One (1914-1918). Before the war he had attempted to make his living as a commercial artist and he continued to sketch while at the Front.

The horror of trench warfare had a profound effect on the young infantry officer but it was the stoic good humour of his men that inspired most of the cartoons he produced. Encouraged by his work's popularity with officers and men alike, Bairnsfather submitted a cartoon entitled, 'Where Did That One Go To?', to the 'The Bystander' magazine and it was accepted and published. Compilations of his cartoons, notably the 'Fragments from France' series, followed. Bairnsfather's artwork was reproduced widely in various forms and became the subject of successful theatrical and film productions.

Invalided home, Bairnsfather became quite a celebrity but the British authorities seemed disinclined to promote the artist or his work. Bairnsfather was however in demand from Britain's allies and he went on to work with the French, Italian and United States armies.

One of three cups from a tea service made up from different items of Bairnsfather Ware, 1919 (c).