East India Stocks, William Dent, 1788

A man personifying the east india company sits full-face, his legs confined in stocks inscribed 'con-troul'. The stocks are fastened by a large padlock inscribed 'security'. He clutches the upright post of the stocks which is inscribed 'proprietary' and supports a ragged cap of 'liberty'. On the post hang two smaller padlocks inscribed 'india bonds'. His two coat-pockets have been turned inside out and are inscribed 'con - fidence'. He grimaces with alarm as pitt approaches from the right and draws from his person a substance inscribed 'dividend'. Behind pitt (right) is dundas, in highland dress, holding open a large sack, decorated with a thistle across which is the word 'annuities', and inscribed 'in-dian budget'; it is labelled 'dictator's wallet'. Both pitt and dundas have masks; pitt holds his before his face, that of dundas is firmly tied on. The word 'cha-rters' begins on pitt's mask and ends on that of dundas. 17 march 1788 etching. Date: 1788. Dimensions: Height: 195 mm; Width: 270 mm. Medium: paper. Depicted People: Henry Dundas, 1st Viscount Melville. Collection: British Museum. East India Stocks (BM 1868,0808.5700)