Long John Silver lamp base produced by Shorter & Son of Stoke-on-Trent, England, circa 1940. Long John Silver is a fictional character and the main antagonist in the novel "Treasure Island" (1883) by Robert Louis Stevenson. The most colorful and complex character in the book, he continues to appear in popular culture. His missing left leg and parrot, in particular, have greatly contributed to the image of the pirate in popular culture. Long John Silver is a cunning and opportunistic pirate who was quartermaster under the notorious Captain Flint. Stevenson's portrayal of Silver has influenced the modern iconography of the pirate. Long John Silver has a parrot, named Captain Flint in honor, or mockery, of his former captain, who generally perches on Silver's shoulder and is known to chatter pirate or seafaring phrases. The lamp base was created by re-modeling the large toby jug, closing in the top and opening the bottom.
Maker:
Shorter & Son
England
circa 1950
Model #:
Derivative
lamp base
Size:
large
Height:
9 3/4"
