~ Royal Doulton The Wandering Minstrel Loving Cup By Fenton & Noke ~
This colourful piece, designed by Charles Noke and Harry Fenton, is of a limited edition of 600 (this one being number 225) & was originally introduced in 1934.
The cup is in the form of a castle with relief decorations and twin tree handles.
The front depicts a minstrel. The minstrel is sat footsore on a wall with his lute and meager possessions, being barked at by a dog. The reverse depicts what appears to be the lady of the castle & her knight appearing with a page carrying refreshments.
On the base is the phrase “a merryman moping mum” from a ballad sung by Jack Point in Gilbert and Sullivans operetta “Yeomen of the Guard” with details of the edition size. There is also an impressed ‘8076’. The Royal Doulton backstamp is the post 1932 one.
~ Dimensions ~
The cup has a height of 5.5 inches (14 cm), a width (from end of handle to handle) of 7 inches (17.8 cm) and a diameter of 4.5 inches (11.4 cm). It weighs 605 g.
~ Condition ~
The cup is in excellent condition. There are no cracks etc. There is an over-glazed small chip to the foot, this appears to be a production flaw and not restorative work.