An original portrait of Captain Swing (BM 1948,0214.941)

A figure constructed of the materials for arson and emitting flames. The body is a corn-stack, the head a sheaf of corn, in which are flaming 'Fire Balls' for eyes. The right arm is a bottle of 'Turpentine', whence burning liquid pours into a pan which is hooked on to the hand, a lighted dark lantern. The left arm is a cylinder of 'Portable Gas' emitting flame from a tap at the elbow, where it joins a firebrand with lighted matches for fingers. The right leg above the knee is an open 'Phosphorus Box', resting on a bundle of matches and with a pistol for foot; the right leg is made of two barrels, 'Pitch' and 'Tar', resting on a horn of 'Gunpowder'. Flames burst from the joints of the figure and the hair is made of burning ears of corn. c. December 1830

Hand-coloured lithograph