Thursday 12 January 2017

The Law Suit.



I've shown this plaque before, but thought it was worth a second outing. It was one of the very first antiques I bought, when I was still at school. It measures 10 inches by 14. 

It's a cast plaster plaque, dating from between 1780 and 1800, illustrating the eternal conflict between lawyers and their clients. In this case two farmers fighting over a cow, whilst the lawyer milks the profits.

It comes from the era of the Cruikshank/Gillray/Rowlandson satirical political cartoons. It may be by someone called J Bright, but I know nothing of him.

If anyone can throw further light on its origin, I'd be extremely grateful.



17 comments:

  1. Very expressive cartoon. Lawyers have been milking their clients from way back when.

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  2. Know nothing about it at all Cro - not my field. But I love it and i also like the idea that someone as young as you were was interested in buying it.

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    Replies
    1. It must have hung on my study wall. I think I had surprisingly good taste.

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  3. My only thoughts on it is that it was probably part of a series and probably made for taverns, but that is just guessing. I like it!

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    1. It would certainly look good on the wall of an old pub'.

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  4. I know people who are in such a dilemma. It's making them ill. Lawyers of a certain ilk have no scruples when it comes to milking the system.

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  5. That depiction is timeless. Wouldn't it be grand if we looked at it and thought it seemed so very old-fashioned and dated, from another age, and so forth.

    Best wishes.

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  6. A nice piece and a rather clever illustration of the greedy lawyer.

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    Replies
    1. I've been carrying it around with me for all that time, worrying that it'll break.

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  7. After dealing with two many lawyers over our recent farm and cow and milk issues, I find this plaque most hysterical. Finally I can laugh over our troubles! What an eye you have Cro.

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