Razor's Levee, or ye Heads of a new Wig Ad[ministration] on a Broad Bottom

Date1783

Engraver James Sayers (1748 - 1823)

Publisher Thomas Cornell (fl. 1780 - 1792)

OriginEngland, London

MediumEtching

DimensionsOther (Plate): 11 × 16in. (27.9 × 40.6cm)

Credit LineMuseum Purchase

Object number1950-729

DescriptionLower margin reads: "JS f/ Published 21st April 1783 by Thomas Cornell Bruton Street. / Razor's Levee, or y.e Heads of a new Wig Ad...........n, on a broad Bottom."
Label TextAt one side stands the barber, a fierce, angry-looking man in an apron, washing his hands in a bowl, which appears to be attached to a double wig-stand. Opposite him, at the other side of the room, Sam House, with a bewildered frown sits in an arm-chair, holding a foaming tankard on which Sam House is just legible. He wears a hat with a cockade inscribed Fox, as worn by Fox's supporters at Westminster elections. On the floor stand other wig-blocks representing the heads of a new ministry. The double stand has heads of North and Fox: North in a bag-wig with a frown of distress on his face, Fox with rough hair and a smile of satisfaction. The other heads all in profile are the Duke of Portland in a bag-wig; Lord John Cavendish in a small close fitting wig; Lord Stormont, Lord Carlisle, and Keppel, these three all in bag-wigs. Apart from and behind the others is a print of Burke, frowning as if dissatisfied with his place; he wears his customary small pig-tail queue. On the ground behind the barber, lie three heads, of the Duke of Grafton, Dundas and Lord Shelburne. On the shelves along the wall are the wigs and wig-boxes. On the high shelf are the heads of Lord Ashburton, full-face, and of Lord Grantley in profile to the left. These two, though once associated with Fox and Burke, are now shelved. (From British Museum Catalogue vol. V, pp. 700-701, #6217)
InscribedInscribed in ink in manuscript: " Grafton/ Dundas/ Shelburne/ D Portland / Ld. J(?) Cavendish/ L.d Stormont/ L.d Carlisle."