- 86
An English delftware blue and white Wilkes & Liberty portrait plate, circa 1763, probably London
Estimate
4,000 - 6,000 GBP
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Description
- Pottery - delftware
- 22.5cm., 8 7/8 in. diam.
painted with a portrait of Wilkes below the numeral '45' flanked by initials W L within concentric circles,
Provenance
With Garry Atkins;
The Stephen McManus collection;
Bonhams London, 12th November 2014, lot 23;
The Birkett collection.
The Stephen McManus collection;
Bonhams London, 12th November 2014, lot 23;
The Birkett collection.
Condition
In overall good appearance. There is a restored crack located at 7 o'clock extending from the rim to the center of the plate. There is a restored chip at 11 o'clock on the facing edge of the rim. Typical glaze loss at rim.
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."
Catalogue Note
John Wilkes (1727-97) was a radical journalist and politician, renowned for publishing an attack on King George III’s speech endorsing the Paris Peace Treaty in his newspaper The North Briton in 1763. This scathing criticism of King George III and of the Prime Minister Lord Bute was published in the 45th issue of Wilkes’ satirical publication. Wilkes’ actions led to his arrest for seditious libel, but saw his case taken up in popular protests, sparking violent public outcry and the use of the slogan ‘Wilkes and Liberty’, or ‘Wilkes liberty and 45’ as a show of support by protesters aligning themselves with Wilkes and his cause. The number 45 synonymously linked with the Jacobite Rising of 1745, commonly known as "The '45". Wilkes was released under the technicality that he was protected under Parliamentary Privilege as the MP for Aylesbury.