Pot of the month for July is a Taper Beaker. Measuring 3¾”/ 9.5cm high it bears a colourful print transfer decoration of Robert Scarlett, or “Old Scarleit”. Born in 1496, he was the Grave Digger at Peterborough Cathedral. He died at the ripe old age of 98, on 2nd of July 1594.
A remarkable man, he lived through the reigns of Henry VII, Henry VIII, Edward VI, Mary I and Elizabeth I. He had the distinction of interring two queens in the Cathedral, Katharine of Aragon and Mary Queen of Scots.
Buried within the Cathedral his picture is painted on the stone wall above where he rests, along with an accompanying text to explain who he was. It is this picture and text (shown on the reverse of the beaker) which were used to decorate the beaker. Goss obviously rated the design enough to register it, ensuring that it was not copied elsewhere. The registration number is shown on the base of the beaker, along with the W.H Goss back stamp.
