Have you noticed this pair of busts on Aurea Carter's site? Do you know who they represent?
These busts represent two of the four elements. The rather angry looking gentleman is emblematic of fire. Yes, that red puffy stuff atop his head represents flames. The lady next to him represents earth. She wears a lion skin and is portrayed as Cybele, the Earth Mother, whose attributes include lions.
We might be excused for thinking that these busts were made by Neale or Ralph Wood or one of the other late eighteenth-century Staffordshire potters. The palette is very typical of the colors those potters used. But this bust in the Victoria and Albert Museum, London, provides invaluable information. (Picture (c) Victoria and Albert Museum, London.)
We might be excused for thinking that these busts were made by Neale or Ralph Wood or one of the other late eighteenth-century Staffordshire potters. The palette is very typical of the colors those potters used. But this bust in the Victoria and Albert Museum, London, provides invaluable information. (Picture (c) Victoria and Albert Museum, London.)
This bust is clearly part of the same series as the first two busts, and it is impressed LEEDS POTTERY. For this reason, I believe all the busts we see here were made at Leeds. This gentleman represents another of the four elements. He is air--and his puffed out cheeks signify that he is blowing air.
The fourth elements in this set is, of course, water. Here she is.
The fourth elements in this set is, of course, water. Here she is.
The clue to this bust's identity lies in the dolphin head molded beneath her garment. Again, the picture is (c) Victoria and Albert Museum, London, and the bust is in the museum's collection. Aren't those fine enamels just delicious?
Most of the figures that we loosely dub "Staffordshire" were made in the Staffordshire Potteries, but some were made in other parts of Great Britain. Yorkshire was probably second to Staffordshire in the quantity of figures it produced. Many of these are decorated in underglaze colors rather than the pretty enamels I love, but some Yorkshire figures are indeed enameled. The Leeds Pottery in Yorkshire was built in around 1770 and closed its doors in 1820. It is better known for its wares than its figures, but it did make a range of figures.
A cautionary note: beware the “LEEDS POTTERY” mark! Between 1890 and 1957, J. W. & G. W. Senior made figures from the old Leeds molds. These too can bear an impressed “LEEDS POTTERY” mark, but their modeling and coloring betray their later date of manufacture.
Most of the figures that we loosely dub "Staffordshire" were made in the Staffordshire Potteries, but some were made in other parts of Great Britain. Yorkshire was probably second to Staffordshire in the quantity of figures it produced. Many of these are decorated in underglaze colors rather than the pretty enamels I love, but some Yorkshire figures are indeed enameled. The Leeds Pottery in Yorkshire was built in around 1770 and closed its doors in 1820. It is better known for its wares than its figures, but it did make a range of figures.
A cautionary note: beware the “LEEDS POTTERY” mark! Between 1890 and 1957, J. W. & G. W. Senior made figures from the old Leeds molds. These too can bear an impressed “LEEDS POTTERY” mark, but their modeling and coloring betray their later date of manufacture.
