Large Sunderland lustreware bowl, with purple rim, transfer-printed inside with a paddle steamer under sail and steam wearing a name pennant 'Trident' at the mainmast, and the Company's houseflag at the mizzen. This transfer commemorates Queen Victoria's return to London from Scotland in the General Steam Navigation Company's ship 'Trident' in 1842.

Also inside are four continental prints (two repeats) with costumed figures, one showing panning for gold, the other a musical scene. The outside of the bowl has two bridge view transfers and two verses in oval cartouches. One bridge transfer is inscribed ‘A East view of the Cast Iron Bridge over the River Wear built by R Burdon MP. Span 236 Feet Height 100 Feet. Begun 24 Sept 1793 Open'd 9 Aug 1796’. The other transfer is a similar view of the bridge from the other side.

The two verses are:
‘When first I was a foremast man I often did pretend,
If e'er I got promoted I'd be a seaman's friend,
But in a little time I was promoted to be mate,
I then like many others forgot my former state;
When I became a Captain I thought myself a King
I then entirely did forget the foremast man I'd been.’

‘Glide on my bark; the summer's tide,
Is gently flowing by thy side;
Around thy prow the waters bright;
In circling rounds of broken light:
Are glitt'ring as if ocean gave,
Her countless gems to deck the wave.’