"Inscription in the upper right. corner: 'A Serio Comic Scene that befel the Grocers Wife at Norwich Or Mrs Figgs bottom exposed owing to the bottom of Mr Figgs Whiskey breaking through.' The two-wheeled gig has stopped at the door of an old-fashioned grocer's shop. A plump woman stands on the ground behind the shafts, naked between waist and stockings, the hole in the floor of the gig having scraped up her petticoats. A scene of violent action: one man holds the head of the restive horse. Men (l.) rush to look at the unfortunate woman who screams with upraised arms, as does her husband who stands with his back to his shop. A woman furiously clutches the hair of a too-eager spectator (r.); a barking dog leaps towards Mrs. Figg. Over the shop-door hangs a conical sign: 'Old Sugar loaf.' A board over the door is inscribed 'Grocery Sweetmeats Hams Tongues Starch Plumbs Figs Vermicelli Tripe Barley Pickles Mustard Soap Hogs Puddings &c Sold here by Peter Figg.' In a bow window are many jars, &c, two inscribed 'Mustard' and 'Virgin Honey'. Above it are two large pot-plants. An agitated woman screams from a casement window over the door. On the house is a placard: 'Cattle Life Insurance Cow Lane Smithfield.'."--British Museum online catalogue.
Alternative Title:
Bottom of Mr. Figg's old whiskey broke through
Description:
Printmaker and date from Grego. and Title etched below image.
Subject (Name):
Auchincloss, Hugh Dudley--Ownership. and Harvey, Francis--Ownership.
Subject (Topic):
Accidents. , Carriages & coaches., City & town life., Dogs., Grocers., Spectators., Spouses. , Stores & shops., and Window displays.
