Prattware Bacchus & Pan Jug

Late Georgian

Circa 1790–1800 | England

A superb example of an antique eighteenth century late Georgian relief moulded Prattware jug depicting Bacchus and Pan (see The Gen), with a dolphin head spout and chained monkey handle. Bacchus is wearing a brown panther robe and grapevine garland on his head and is seated on his beloved wine barrel covered in grapes and fruit whilst grasping the tail of the dolphin and on his opposite shoulder stands a monkey. On the reverse we find the figure of Pan, holding his goblet and shepherd’s pipe with forest owl by his side. Both Bacchus and Pan have overindulged in wine as depicted in the ruddy glow of their cheeks! The enamel colours on this jug are vivid and truly exceptional with well-chosen hints of almost rosy wine red!

DIMENSIONS: Height to rim of jug 29 cm, maximum height 32 cm.

SIGNATURES, MARKINGS & INSCRIPTIONS: Unmarked. There are remnants of a BADA sticker.

CONDITION: The jug is in good original condition with wear commensurate with antique age and use. There are some losses and flaking to the green enamel which may be a later addition. There are firing cracks inside the jug and chips to the base.

REFERENCES: For an example of a similar jug see Victoria & Albert Museum, Accession Number C.32-1930.

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THE GEN

“Bacchus (Dionysus), the god of wine, was the son of Jupiter and Semele, daughter of Cadmus of Thebes. He was especially the god of animal life and vegetation. He represented not only the intoxicating power of wine but its social and beneficent influences, and was looked upon as a promoter of civilization, a law-giver and lover of peace. His forehead was crowned with leaves of ivy. He rode upon a tiger, the panther, or the lynx, or was drawn by them in a car. His worshipers were called Bacchanals or Bacchantes.

Pan, the son of Mercury and a wood-nymph or Dryad. He was the god of woods and fields, of flocks and shepherds. He dwelt in caves, wandered mountains and in valleys, amused himself with the chase, led dances of the Dryads, and made love to them. But his suit was frequently of no avail, for though good-natured he was not prepossessing: his hoofs and horns did not enhance his comeliness. He was fond of music and was himself the inventor of the syrinx, or shepherd’s pipe, which he played in a masterly manner. Like other gods who dwelt in forests, he was dreaded by those whose occupations caused them to pass through woods by night; for gloom and loneliness oppress and appal the mind.  Hence sudden unreasonable fright was ascribed to Pan and called a Panic terror.” (The Classical Myths in English Literature and Art, Charles Mills Gayley, Gin and Company, 1911, pp 44 and 45)

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