Eclipse Teapot Tile Stand Dickens Antique newest Transferware "Solemn Reference is Made to Mr. Bunsby"
Antique tile teapot stand made by Deykin & Sons in Birmingham, 1854-1895. The illustration "Solemn Reference is Made to Mr. Bunsby" from Dickens's Dumber and Son transfer printed in black.
Condition: Several cracks off the rim, crazing throughout. For condition details, please see product images.
Diameter: 6.5 inches
The illustration "Solemn Reference is Made to Mr. Bunsby" was originally taken from the novel Dombey and Son by Charles Dickens (Chapter 23 "Florence solitary, and the Midshipman mysterious").
The passage reads as follows:
"Bunsby," said the Captain, striking home at once, "here you are; a man of mind, and a man as can give an opinion. Here's a young lady as wants to take that opinion, in regard of my friend Wal'r; likewise my t'other friend, Sol Gills, which is a character for you to come within hail of, being a man of science, which is the mother of invention, and knows no law. Bunsby, will you wear, to oblige me, and come along with us?"
The great commander, who seemed by expression of his visage to be always on the look-out for something in the extremest distance, and to have no ocular knowledge of anything within ten miles, made no reply whatever.
"Here is a man," said the Captain, addressing himself to his fair auditors, and indicating the commander with his outstretched hook, "that has fell down, more than any man alive; that has had more accidents happen to his own self than the Seamen's Hospital to all hands; that took as many spars and bars and bolts about the outside of his head when he was young, as you'd want a order for on Chatham-yard to build a pleasure yacht with; and yet that his opinions in that way, it's my belief, for there ain't nothing like ‘em afloat or ashore."
The stolid commander appeared by a very slight vibration in his elbows, to express some satisfaction in this encomium; but if his face had been as distant as his gaze was, it could hardly have enlightened the beholders less in reference to anything that was passing in his thoughts.
"Shipmet," said Bunsby, all of a sudden, and stooping down to look out newest under some interposing spar, "what'll the ladies drink?" [Chapter 23, "Florence solitary, and the Midshipman mysterious," 402-3]"