You lucky thing you - one of the very top names in stipple engraving.
Now, you just need a proper light box in which to display it. That is the only way you can see the work properly.
The 3 little houses depicted are called But'n'bens. (or But and Bens).
Small two roomed houses, one room being kept for the kitchen dining and sitting room - all the general living stuff, that room is the Ben.
The other room was kept neat and tidy, like the parlour, and was mostly unused except when the minister came to call. That room is the But.
Sometimes there is an upper floor, with 2 bedooms, as in the middle house.
When somebody knocked at the door, the call was;
"If it's ayebody, tak' them But, if it's naebody, bring them Ben."
Translation;
"If it's somebody important, take them to the posh room,
if it's just a friend or family, bring them through to the living quarters."
Basically, Ben means here, But means there.
Topic: James Denison-Pender stipple engraved bowl. (Read 2641 times)
