Arts Crafts style copper plaque

£185.00

This Arts and Crafts style copper plaque dates from c. 1900 and depicts Shakespeare and Ben Jonson in the Mermaid Tavern. Jonson was a convicted felon, and was branded as such on his right thumb : it seems that Jonson has removed his gauntlet ( which is on the floor) and is showing the assembled company the proof - I suppose in a kind of "laddish" gesture. Although, maybe there is another interpretation : the seated figure showing his wrist is depicted as a likeness of Shakespear, so maybe he is acting out his St Cripians Day speech, from Henry V - " Then will he strip his sleeve and show his scars
These wounds I had on Crispians Day ........
These words are spoken by Henry v addressing his troops before the battle, and he would not have been sitting down, so Shakespear is playing the part of the veteran referred to in the speech by Henry v.