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Army officers performing the Wetting the Commission ritual
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Army officers performing the Wetting the Commission ritual
Army officers performing a ritual commission ceremony. An officer wets a document in a bowl of punch with a sword at the Elephant and Castle pub. Wetting an Irish Commission. Handcoloured engraving from Pierce Egans Real Life in Ireland, or the Day and Night Scenes, Rovings, Rambles, and Sprees, Bulls, Blunders, Bodderation and Blarney, of Brian Boru Esq. and his Elegant Friend Sir Shawn O Dogherty, published by William Evans, London, 1829
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Media ID 23388692
© Florilegius
Adventures Barn Blarney Blunders Bodderation Boru Brian Bulls Comedy Commission Egan Geese Gentlemen Georgian Marks Odogherty Paddy Pierce Pigs Potatoes Rambles Real Regency Ritual Rovings Satire Shawn Sprees Officers Slumming Wetting
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EDITORS COMMENTS
This intriguing handcoloured engraving captures the unique tradition of an Irish commission ceremony as depicted in Pierce Egan's "Real Life in Ireland," published in 1829. In the image, a group of Army officers, dressed in their full regalia, gather around a makeshift table at the Elephant and Castle pub. The center of attention is an officer, who holds a sword and dips a document into a bowl of punch, an essential part of the Wetting the Commission ritual. The scene is filled with the spirit of camaraderie and merriment, as evidenced by the jovial expressions on the faces of the officers. The setting, a shebeen or unlicensed pub, adds to the sense of adventure and excitement. The presence of pigs, geese, and potatoes on the table further emphasizes the rustic and lively atmosphere. However, the scene is not without its disagreeable elements. A fallen officer, with a peg leg, lies in the background, while a captain and a grammachree (a term for an Irishman of low social standing) engage in a heated argument. The caricatured depiction of Brian Boru, a legendary Irish king, and Sir Shawn O'Dogherty, a fictional character created by Egan, adds a touch of satire and comedy to the illustration. The image provides a glimpse into the Regency and Georgian era, offering a unique insight into the lives of Irish gentlemen and their sometimes disagreeable adventures. The use of handcolouring adds depth and vibrancy to the illustration, making it a fascinating and intriguing piece of historical art.
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