A very rare pair of Liverpool enamel plaques of American interest, circa 1775-78
Of upright oval form, printed in dark brown with portraits of 'Lord Cornwallis' and 'General Clinton', probably by Guy Green, titled on a banner below, with original metal frames and hanging loops, 7.2cm high including frames (2)
Footnotes:
Provenance
With Simon Spero, 1984
E and J Handley Collection, illustrated 18th Century English Transfer-Printed Porcelain and Enamels (1991), p.291
Simon Spero exhibition, 2000, no.48
Bunny and Paul Davies Collection

Clinton and Cornwallis were prominent commanders in the American War of Independence, Clinton winning victories for the British at Savannah and Charleston. Cornwallis suffered an enforced surrender at Yorktown in October 1781 which signalled the end of the war.

The Cornwallis plaque has three small chips to the enamel just to the left of the titled banner and there are a few fine associated cracks in the same area. There is also a fine vertical crack on his face which runs down to the epaulette on his right shoulder. There are a few typical minor cracks to the reverse.
The Clinton plaque is in good condition with just a few very fine cracks to the reverse.