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  BOHEMIAN MILK GLASS MUG WITH AN EAGLE, 13 STARS, AND THE CAPTION “LIBERTY”, LATE 18TH CENTURY
Dimensions (inches): 6" x 3.5" diameter
Description:
This beautiful, rare, Bohemian milk glass mug was made in the late 18th century for the American market. The gilded and painted decoration consists of a large eagle within an open wreath of laurel leaves, signifying glory and victory, above which is the word “Liberty.” 12 eight-pointed stars flank each side of the wreath, in groups of 6, with the 13th star at the very top. The patriotic imagery and the folk art impact of the overall design are excellent.

Bohemian milk glass is often misidentified as Bristol glass. Citations of similar mugs include the following*:

Antiques, March 1925, First page of text, where a short article discusses items made in Europe by glassmakers to cater to the "patriotic susceptibilities of the freshly liberated Colonies." A similar mug (incorrectly identified as Bristol) is illustrated and another, belonging to the New York Historical Society, also with the motto "Liberty," is mentioned.

Antiques, December 1925, p. 346, "White Glass" by E. Barrington Haynes, where on page 347 an identical mug is illustrated (incorrectly listed as French).

Christies, "A Fine Collection of European White Glass (part II), London, Tuesday, June 22, 1976," lot 140 where a decanter is illustrated with extremely similar decoration and is correctly catalogued as late 18th century Bohemian milkglass.

"Glas", by Walter Spiegl, pub 1979, page 105 for another example.

* My sincere thanks to antique porcelain expert Paul Vandekar for the correct identification of this object and the attached documentation of similar examples.

Condition: There is a tiny face chip and a closed hairline from the lip down past the point where the upper end of the handle is attached. Age, rarity, and desirability of the unusual patriotic form well-warrant the condition.
   
Primary Color: brown, rose, white, blue-green
Earliest Date: 1783
Latest Date: 1799
For Sale Status: Sold
Price SOLD
E-mail: info@jeffbridgman.com
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