A design with much-burlesqued 'lilliputian' figures with large heads, as bmsat 9635, &c, but grotesquely elongated as in bmsat 10604, &c in the foreground (l. ) are four card-players at a round table lit by two candles. One man (l. ) is in military uniform, with a pigtail, trousers and tied shoes; he and his partner (r. ) are pleased: she says: "i lead trump"; he says: "a charming hand this time however". A man in back view wears an enormous bag-wig, the bag covering the back of his chair; he says: "worse and worse". His melancholy partner says: "i never held such cards in my life. " behind the lady on the r. Stands a footman holding a salver with three tall glasses of wine; he yawns cavernously: "ya, ha!" in the middle distance (r. ) an bows to a lady who curtseys; he says: "i never saw your ladyship look more beautiful will you take cards or dance. " she answers: "neither my lord at present. " a cut-glass chandelier with four tall candles hangs above their heads. Behind is an ornate archway through which is seen a ball-room with a musicians' gallery and grotesque dancers. On the extreme right. Is a side-table with decanters, candles, a stand of jelly-glasses. These small background figures and the table, with the inscriptions, are etched by g. Cruikshank. 26 september 1806
hand-coloured etching. Date: 1806. Dimensions: Height: 234 mm (cropped); ; Width: 329 mm (cropped). Medium: paper. Collection: British Museum. A long headed assembly!! (BM 1865,1111.2045)
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