"A kitchen scene [with a satire based on the fable of the "catspaw"]. A monkey with Wood's head squats beside a plump cat with the head in profile of Queen Caroline. She sits gazing at the fire with an eagerly expectant smile. He puts his left hand on her shoulder and takes her right paw which is supported on his knee, looking fixedly at her with greedy expectation. Between the bars of the grate are four chestnuts like large potatoes. These are inscribed respectively: 'Privileges', 'Rights', 'Liturgy', 'St Catherines'. Beside the grate and attached to a chain is a 'Kettle of Fish'. Behind the cat is a big trap with steel teeth inscribed '50 000 per Annum'. Behind it is a dresser, neatly arranged above a cupboard inscribed 'Lately from St Omers' [see British Museum Satires no. 13730]. On the dresser are a teapot and butterdish, each with a bust portrait of Bergami, and two cups, inscribed 'BB'. There are also pans inscribed 'Hash' and 'Stew', a 'Tinder' box and bottle of 'Brim-Stone'. On the chimneypiece, with other utensils, is a box of 'Matches'."--British Museum online catalogue
Alternative Title:
Man of the woods and the cat-o'-mountain
Description:
Title etched below image., Attributed to Theodore Lane in the British Museum catalogue., Five lines of verse below title: A cat and monkey tired of play, Basking before the fire lay, Pug in the fire a chesnut spied, Puss, lend me your paw, he slyly cried! And we the booty will divide!!! - Gay., Sheet trimmed within plate mark., 1 print : etching with stipple on wove paper, hand-colored ; sheet 29.2 x 20.3 cm., and Watermark: J. Whatman 1821.
Publisher:
Pubd. by G. Humphrey, 27 St. James's St.
Subject (Name):
Caroline, Queen, consort of George IV, King of Great Britain, 1768-1821, Bergami, Bartolomeo Bergami, Baron, and Wood, Matthew, Sir, 1768-1843
Subject (Topic):
Adultery, Cats, Cooking utensils, Fireplaces, Kitchens, Mantels, Monkeys, and Tableware
