AN EXTREMELY RARE COMMEMORATIVE PINK AND BLUE LUSTREWARE JUG WITH LORD BYRON'S BUST AND MASONIC SYMBOLS Leeds and Sunderland, England, c.1820 Of typical shape, decorated with blue paint, metallic pink glaze and black transfer printing, the foot short and with a pink band running around its full circumference, the same pink band decorating the handle, the mouth and the neck, a wide blue band covering the upper part of the jug, a printed representation of Lord Byron in Greek costume under the mouth accompanied by the text 'LORD BYRON' in capital letters, one side of the jug decorated with masonic symbolism (square and compass, letter 'G' inscribed inside a triangle, beehive, Jacob's ladder, blazing star, sun and moon, mosaic pavement, anchor, pillars, globes) and inscription 'The world is in pain/ Our secrets to gain/ But still let them wonder and gaze on/ For they ne'er can divine/ The word nor the sign/ Of a free and an accepted Mason', the other side with the verses of a popular song enclosed between vegetable motifs 'Since life's a jest we'll jest at life/ And make a jest of sorrow/ For why should we'gainst life's decree/ Be toughtful of tomorrow/ At jest we laugh then laugh at life/ For life is but a jest/ And he who loves and laughs the most/ Is he who lives the best', the interior of the jug painted in white and glazed, 14cm high. For further reference, please see R. Cruttwell (1804), "Since life's a jest", A selection of Catches, Glees, & C. for the use of the members of the Bath York-House Catch Club. Arranged under the names of the respective composers of music, Bath York-House Catch Club.