In the early nineteenth century, as today, all did not necessarily go well in English marriages. But in the early nineteenth century there was no divorce law. That’s because at marriage a woman ceased to exist….legally, at least! In the eyes of the law, at marriage a woman became ONE with her husband. As a man had no need to divorce himself, there was simply no need for divorce law. The age-old battle between the sexes in English households is captured in a vigorously humorous group known as “Who shall wear the breeches.” The groups are exceptionally rare, and, like the examples shown here, all are formed as spill holders.
Lovely is it not? Is the couple’s rage not captured with great humor? Note the cat in the foreground, seemingly in great haste to avoid getting in the midst of things. Cats are far less common than dogs on pottery groups, and I think the cat was deliberately chosen for this cat fight! The words read WHO SHALL WARE THE BRECHES (to the left) and CONQUER OR DIE(to the right, obscured by the man's head.) I have traced four examples of this group. One is in the Newcastle-under-Lyme museum. Three are in North American collections, and one of these is in particularly poor condition (including loss of the breeches.)
Interestingly, there is a second variant of this group. Again, the words WHO SHALL WARE THE BRECHES and CONQUER OR DIE are above the fireplace, but there are notable differences, as you can see in the example below from the Victoria and Albert Museum’s holdings. First, the captions are reversed. Second, there is a bundle on the floor at the couple’s feet. This bundle represents a well-wrapped infant, clearly flung aside as the parents tussle. Third, the group stands on a flat base rather than a claw-footed base. Fourth, the top of the spill vase is pointed rather than rounded. If you look carefully, many of the fine details match: the impressed design on the edge of her apron is the same in both groups, as are the impressions around the fireplace. I believe there are four examples of this group in existence: one is in a North American collection, and three are in museums (Victoria and Albert, Fitzwilliam, Brighton and Hove.)
Interestingly, there is a second variant of this group. Again, the words WHO SHALL WARE THE BRECHES and CONQUER OR DIE are above the fireplace, but there are notable differences, as you can see in the example below from the Victoria and Albert Museum’s holdings. First, the captions are reversed. Second, there is a bundle on the floor at the couple’s feet. This bundle represents a well-wrapped infant, clearly flung aside as the parents tussle. Third, the group stands on a flat base rather than a claw-footed base. Fourth, the top of the spill vase is pointed rather than rounded. If you look carefully, many of the fine details match: the impressed design on the edge of her apron is the same in both groups, as are the impressions around the fireplace. I believe there are four examples of this group in existence: one is in a North American collection, and three are in museums (Victoria and Albert, Fitzwilliam, Brighton and Hove.)
(C) Victoria and Albert Museum, London
Included in my count above is the example in the Willett Collection, Brighton and Hove Museums, but this group has an interesting twist. Instead of the usual wording, the plaque to the right reads WHO SHALL WEAR THE TROUSERS. Note that “wear” is spelled correctly this time!
The Willett Collection, Brighton and Hove Museums.
The group exhibits other minor differences when compared to the example in the Victoria and Albert. Firstly, the baby-bundle is made from different molds. Also, there is no impressed design around the edge of the woman's apron. I still think all examples on flat bases probably emanated from the same source—but who knows? If I had a choice, I would pick a group on clawed feet because these examples are frequently more vividly colored, and the feet add a little more oomph. But if you want one of these and you find it, don’t be picky. Grab it! Meanwhile, you can see examples in my book, or you can visit the Victoria and Albert, the Fitzwilliam Museum, the Brighton and Hove Museums or the Newcastle-under-Lyme Museum.
PS:
Are you still wondering WHAT one did to end an unhappy marriage in the absence of divorce law? The common man and woman found some ingenious solutions to notify the public that they considered their union over. Wife-sale was a quaint custom that was a quick, if not legal, solution. A man would put a halter around his wife’s neck, lead her to market like a piece of cattle, and auction her to the highest bidder. Frequently, the bidder was VERY well known to the wife. Although this did not legally end a marriage, in the eyes of the local community it was clearly understood that things were over. But failing all else, death generally provided the only legal solution to a miserable marriage.
Are you still wondering WHAT one did to end an unhappy marriage in the absence of divorce law? The common man and woman found some ingenious solutions to notify the public that they considered their union over. Wife-sale was a quaint custom that was a quick, if not legal, solution. A man would put a halter around his wife’s neck, lead her to market like a piece of cattle, and auction her to the highest bidder. Frequently, the bidder was VERY well known to the wife. Although this did not legally end a marriage, in the eyes of the local community it was clearly understood that things were over. But failing all else, death generally provided the only legal solution to a miserable marriage.
