A Collection of Seven Ceramic Mugs and Loving Cups relating to the Taunton Cider Company

A collection of seven earthenware and creamware-style ceramic pieces, predominantly featuring promotional and commemorative designs associated with the Taunton Cider Company of Somerset. The group comprises six loving cups of varying sizes and one single-handled mug. Notable items include a large floral loving cup with elaborate polychrome scroll handles and transfer-printed floral motifs; a turquoise-ground loving cup with floral sprays and gilt highlights; and a large cylindrical mug decorated with multi-coloured floral and foliate scrolls. The cider-specific pieces include two loving cups bearing the colour transfer-printed ‘T’ logo surrounded by apples for The Taunton Cider Company; a footed loving cup with a black transfer-printed seal for Dry Blackthorn Cider, including text referencing Taunton’s oak vats at Norton Fitzwarren; and a miniature loving cup featuring a black and white transfer-printed village landscape scene. Web research suggests several of these promotional cider items are associated with productions by Wade.