A large Herculaneum pearlware frog mug, circa 1830

A large Herculaneum pearlware frog mug, circa 1830
Printed in black with the 'Exchange Buildings and Nelson Monument Liverpool', flanked by early steam locomotives, the Rocket and the Northumbrian of Messrs R Stephenson & Co., the Novelty of Messrs Braithwaite & Ericsson and a portrait of Queen Adelaide below the interior rim, a brightly coloured frog modelled inside the base, with blue enamel rims, 13cm high
This mug was probably made to commemorate the opening of the Liverpool and Manchester Railway on 15 September 1830. Eight trains, including the Rocket took part in the ceremonial procession led by chief engineer Robert Stephenson. The source of the print of the Nelson Monument was published in 1829, after a drawing by G & C Pyne. The Nelson monument itself was designed by Matthew Cotes Wyatt and sculpted by Richard Westmacott. It was unveiled in 1813 on the 8th anniversary of the battle of Trafalgar.