Royal Doulton Small Beer Mug

Lambeth, circa 1900

Here’s a fun mug for the Royal Doulton collector. The text reads “Of all sad Deaths the very worst Is that which comes of burning Thirst.” The impressed mark reads Doulton Lambeth England. This mark was used on small stoneware pieces starting in 1891. A further mark impressed on the bottom, partly illegible, reads J. Mc D & S Co. Boston. Presumably this would have been a special order piece for the Boston company, sometime around 1900.

The mug is small, only 4” high (so it couldn’t have quenched a very big thirst). The top diameter is 2 ¾”; the bottom, 3”. The tan and brown glaze is typical of that used by the Doulton Lambeth pottery around 1900. The dark brown glaze at the top continues in a straight line right across the handle. There are no chips, cracks or repairs. Roughness in the bottom glaze obscures some of the markings but does not detract from the piece.

Item #1847