"An enormously fat lady flings up arms, legs, and tea-cup in terror, as her flimsy gown catches fire from a red-hot poker falling from the grate (left). She, a stiff military officer, and a young woman sit at a round tea-table. The man sits paralysed, alarmed and helpless, spilling his tea; the girl has added to the calamity by knocking over the tea-table so that urn and tea-pot spill their scalding contents, and crockery slides towards the floor. A loutish footman enters (right) but has stopped dead, dropping a dish of muffins. A frightened cat scampers from the hearth-rug. Over the chimney-piece is a picture of Vesuvius in eruption. The woman is a monstrous creature with bare arms and elaborately dressed hair (or wig), a patterned carpet completes the design."--British Museum online catalogue.
Description:
Text following title: Dedicated to the serious attention of the fashionable ladies of Great Britain. and Title etched below image.
Publisher:
H. Humprey, No. 27 St. James's Street
Subject (Name):
Auchincloss, Hugh Dudley--Ownership., Harvey, Francis--Ownership., and Humphrey, Hannah, active 1774-1817, publisher.
Subject (Topic):
Cats., Clothing & dress--England--1800-1810., Parlors., Tea tables (Tables), and Tea.
An old, toothless man in a simple coat buttoned up to his chin, a cocked hat, and eyeglasses, is [presumably since the chair was not drawn] sitting at a tea table on which are two teacups and saucers and a teapot. He is holding a candlestick in his right hand and a sheet of paper in his left, looking ahead of him to the right.
Alternative Title:
Old man with candlestick sitting at a tea table
Description:
The number '15' in date in imprint statement is lightly etched and barely visible. and Title from British Museum catalogue.
Publisher:
H. Humphrey, No. 51 New Bond Street
Subject (Name):
Auchincloss, Hugh Dudley--Ownership., Harvey, Francis--Ownership., and Humphrey, Hannah, active 1774-1817, publisher.
