A uniformed rifleman leans nonchalantly on his weapon among framing foliage on a pear-shap...

A uniformed rifleman leans nonchalantly on his weapon among framing foliage on a pear-shaped vessel. The jug's handle is an inventive combination of a detailed rifle and a crowned British lion, creating a context of patriotic duty.

While volunteer military corps were often commemorated on ceramics, this design is not rec...

While volunteer military corps were often commemorated on ceramics, this design is not recorded in any of the standard sources on moulded jugs although Michael Gibson illustrates a version in 19th Century Lustreware.  

There is speculation that the jug may refer to the popular mid-century Rifle Volunteers movement.  This was a British citizen based movement of patriotic paramilitary gun clubs founded around the country.  Initially, they were totally privately funded and patronised, however the British government was quick to rein them in and ensure they were legally controlled.   Our thanks to Keith Matthews on the British Pottery and Porcelain Facebook site for this information.