This coloured Sunderland lustre frog mug is a good example. It celebrates the 100 ft high bridge over the River Wear from a west view. The bridge was built by R. Burdon Esq. between Sep 1793 and Aug 1796, when it was opened. On the back of the mug is a charming piece of verse, starting “Glide on my bark the summer’s tide” …..The mug would have been used for drinking beer. Frog mugs were first produced in Sunderland before being copied in Staffordshire and Worcestershire. The frog was included to cause amusement as it appeared as the drink was consumed. This type of practical joke mug was popular from 1775 though to the end of the 19th Century. The frog would sometimes gurgle at the drinker through a hole in its mouth, as was probably the case with this mug. There are frequent references to these mugs by sailors as they were used in the taverns they frequented. The interior of the mug is painted with flowers in grey, including along the rim. There is a glazed over chi...