Lot Essay
Only two known English inns commissioned Chinese export mugs: 'The Lord Cobham's Arms' in Buckingham (see D. S. Howard, op.cit. p.591) and 'The Queen's Head' in Gravesend, ibid. p.743). In addition, John Kent commissioned a service for 'The Bell Inn' which acted as a Post Office in Maidstone, Kent, ibid. p.476 for a dish, and David Howard & John Ayers, op.cit., vol.II, p.428, no.431.