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Reversible images like this became popular during the 16th century, when they were used to hide messages about politics or religion. Later topsy-turvy images were used purely to amuse, such as with this example. Cinderella magically turns into the Fairy Godmother when this child’s mug is turned upside down. It was designed by Laurence Whistler, based on drawings done by his brother, Rex.
No one actually knows when inverted images were first created – but they certainly started to become popular on coins during the Reformation. These early reversible images often hid political or theological statements. In the 19th century however, such images became objects for amusement and were popularly used in advertisements and puzzle cards. In 1948 the ‘topsy-turvy’ drawings of the English artist, Rex Whistler, brought these portraits to new heights in a children’s book entitled OHO! – to accompany the twenty-five different faces, the book also contained satirical and comic verses written by his brother, Laurence, the respected glass engraver. For the book Rex modified some reversible images that had been previously circulating on nineteenth century puzzle cards. He found it far easier to produce male, rather than female, topsy-turvy portraits, as a depiction of a man’s head of hair could be easily and artistically transformed into a beard. This mug, from a very limited edition, features Cinderella transforming into her Fairy Godmother, and was adapted by Laurence Whistler from his brother’s work.
Born in 1912 he was the younger brother of Rex Whistler. Educated at Stowe and Balliol College, Oxford, he was a renowned artist, engraver on glass, poet and author. He is now considered to be the greatest British glass engraver of the 20th century - possibly of all time. In 1955-56, Whistler designed for Wedgwood a series called ‘Outlines of Grandeur’, which represented famous architecture characteristic of six distinctive periods of British history. He also provided three further designs including the ‘Dolphin’ pattern. Whistler was awarded the OBE in 1955, the CBE in 1973 and was knighted shortly before his death.
Born in 1905, Whistler was a student at the Royal Academy and then the Slade. He was a painter, a theatre designer and a book illustrator, with a first major commission being the painting of the mural in the Tate Gallery, 1926/27. In 1932 he produced a series of views of ‘Clovelly’, which were drawn in the style of the late 18th-century chintz material. Four of the views were then adapted for use on Wedgwood production; the wares featured a special backstamp that was engraved in May of 1933. The so-called ‘Clovelly View Ware’, has subsequently been produced exclusively for the Clovelly Estate Company from that date. Rex Whistler was killed during the Normandy campaign of 1944.
