3728 – Black John of Tetcott, postcard

Museum classification:

Cunning folk

Size:

15 x 11 cm

Information:

A postcard reproduction of an oil painting formerly owned by Rev. Hawker of Morwenstow.

Black John of Tetcott was "hunchbacked, under 4ft tall, devoted jester to John Arscott (1718 - 1788) of Tetcott, Devon.  He followed the hounds on foot in north Cornwall and Devon.  With his lips he "mumbled" the feathers of living sparrows, and swallowed and retrieved strings if living mice.  He died of grief shortly after his master."

Resource:

Print

Materials:

Card

Copyright ownership:

MWM

A postcard reproduction of an oil painting formerly owned by Rev. Hawker of Morwenstow.

Black John of Tetcott was "hunchbacked, under 4ft tall, devoted jester to John Arscott (1718 - 1788) of Tetcott, Devon.  He followed the hounds on foot in north Cornwall and Devon.  With his lips he "mumbled" the feathers of living sparrows, and swallowed and retrieved strings if living mice.  He died of grief shortly after his master."