The joss and his folly

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George Cruikshank
1792-1878
The joss and his folly
wood engraving
119 x 95 mm
Purchased by J. Pierpont Morgan, 1900.
Peel 2084
Published: 
[London] : [Printed by and for William Hone, Ludgate-Hill], [1820]
Provenance: 
Formerly owned by Sir Robert Peel.
Notes: 

Printed below image: I say, HUM, how fares it with Royalty now? / Is it up? -- Is it prime? -- Is it spooney? -- or how? / The Fudge Family.
Title illustration to The joss and his folly, in The Queen's matrimonial ladder : a national toy with fourteen step scenes and illustrations in verse, with eighteen other cuts (London: William Hone, 1820).
Detached from The Queen's matrimonial ladder : a national toy with fourteen step scenes and illustrations in verse, with eighteen other cuts (London: William Hone, 1820).
Image has been trimmed to remove all text except the Fudge quotation .

Summary: 

A teapot, decorated with a view of the Royal Pavilion, on which two peacocks are perched, is set in a Rococo Chinoiserie border. On the lid squats a figure described as "Mandarin" but resembling King George IV in his facial features. Above his head is an extinguisher hanging from the claws of a dragon. Handle and spout are formed of a serpent; panelling with pastiches of Chinese decorations forms the background. Attendants with teacups for hats and carrying peacock feathers are arrayed behind the teapot king.

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