RICHARD REDGRAVE (1804-1888) FOR FELIX SUMMERLEY'S ART MANUFACTURES SHAVING MUG, DESIGNED 1848

made by Josiah Wedgwood & Sons, glazed earthenware, pewter mounts, printed inscription BY THE LENGTH OF HIS BEARD CAN YOU MEASURE A MAN?/ POET OF HERO? – I DOUBT IF YOU CAN./ BEARDED OR SHAVEN – WITH COMES FROM HEAVEN

20.2cm (8in) high

Note: Henry Cole founded Felix Summerly’s Art Manufactures in 1847, hoping that if well-known painters and sculptors could be persuaded to produce designs for functional objects the firm could ‘promote public taste’. This shaving mug by the painter and writer Richard Redgrave was an early design for the firm.