Antique Childs ABC Mug ~ Kitten Mouse Staffordshire 1850

Early Staffordshire Childs Transferware ABC Nursery Mug

K for Kitten M for Mouse Staffordshire England c. 1850

This whimsical little child's transferware soft paste mug dates to 1850. The diminutive piece stands 2 3/4" tall by 2 5/8" wide with an applied loop handle.
It is transfer printed in brown and hand painted in red underground and finished with pearlware glaze. It features the letters K and M. One side of the mug shows the upper and lower case letters and illustrated figural images:

K for KITTEN KITE KEY M for MOUSE MALLET MUG MARBLES

The cup was made in the Staffordshire region of England in the 1850s. It is unmarked. The illustrations were originally found as engravings in an early childrens alphabet primer book titled "Object Lesson ABCs" from the 1840s. Mugs and plates like this were made as gifts for good children and rewards of merit, used to aid in children's education and to encourage their imaginations in the 19th century.

The mug is in great condition with no chips cracks or repairs. It is amazing that this little piece was made for a child so long ago!