Finger bowl

Engraved with 'INDEPENDANCE (sic) TO THE BURGESSES OF DERBY', 'D P COKE', and decoration representing a spray of fruiting hop and barley ears. Appears to promote the cause of Daniel Parker Coke (1745 - 1825), who successfully challenged the result of a local bye-election in 1776 in which he stood as a candidate. His rival was returned, but Coke petitioned on the grounds non-resident honorary freemen (burgesses) were allowed to vote but not certain genuine freemen. His petition was upheld and the law changed. Coke was member of an important local family and a patron of Joseph Wright of Derby and the Derby Pottery factory.