Decorative arts — C. 1846
Flask, spirit flask
The Corn Laws imposed duties on imported grain which meant domestic bread prices were kept high. The combination of high prices and bad harvests generated significant popular opposition to the laws including food riots. The laws also produced conflict between protectionist landowners and industrialists who favoured repeal to stimulate the economy. The Anti-Corn Law League was established in Manchester in 1839 to campaign for repeal. The Tory prime minister Robert Peel realised that the Corn Laws were causing economic stagnation. He introduced a bill to repeal them on 27 January 1846 despite opposition from landowners within his own party.
This stoneware spirit flask was made to commemorate the repeal of the Corn Laws and depicts Peel holding a wheatsheaf with the slogan 'bread for the millions'. The flask was donated to the London Museum by Queen Mary in 1931.
- Category:
- Decorative arts
- Object ID:
- 31.46/1
- Object name:
- flask, spirit flask
- Object type:
- Artist/Maker:
- —
- Related people:
- Related events:
- Related places:
- Production date:
- c. 1846
- Material:
ceramic, stoneware
- Measurements/duration:
- H 245 mm, L 92 mm, D 86 mm
- Part of:
- —
- On display:
- —
- Record quality:
- 100%
- Part of this object:
- —
- Owner Status & Credit:
Permanent collection
- Copyright holder:
digital image © London Museum
- Image credit:
- —
- Creative commons usage:
- —
- License this image:
To license this image for commercial use, please contact the London Museum Picture Library.