I have always been torn about busts of Neptune. Some are rather grim, although the modeling can be superb. The earliest examples were, I believe, made by Ralph Wood, like this 11.4" beauty, formerly in Aurea Carter's stock. Because Neptune is the Roman god of the sea, he is draped with a fish-like garment.
Courtesy Aurea Carter
There is something very statuesque, serene, and impressive about the Ralph Wood Neptune, but I suspect that after Ralph Wood's time (1782-95), the molds passed into other hands, and other potters jazzed things up a bit. Below is Neptune from the very same molds, without a single Ralph Wood feature.
Around the early 1800s, it appears that someone in the Potteries decided to fashion his own version of Neptune, and so a rather more cheerful model appeared, 14" tall. At the same time, the modeler made a companion Hercules, and, as happens, we find them together very occasionally. The first pair that I saw was in the Hunt Collection, formerly in the stock of John Howard.
Courtesy the Collection of William Herbert and Nancy Hunt
| Interestingly on the reverse, Neptune is inscribed “G.R” and impressed “1811”, and Hercules is inscribed “1811”. Hercules wears the skin of the ferocious Nemean lion that he strangled. |  |
Below are two more Neptunes from the very same molds, both inscribed “G.R” and impressed “1811”.
All the GR 1811 busts are decorated quite differently, and the pink luster one with the rosy Santa-Claus cheeks is my favorite. Amazing what a difference the painting makes to the final appearance, does it not?
Initially, I concluded that the letters G. R. were the potter's initials, and 1811 was the date of manufacture. Seems reasonable, does it not? But time has taught me otherwise!
One small clue to what happened here is that on each bust the "GR" and "1811" are positioned in the very same spot. In other words, the letters are numbers are integral to the mold itself, rather than something the potter scratched into the clay. The same molds were probably used by assorted potters over several years, and each time a bust impressed "G.R." and "1811" was the result!
So if these busts were not made by GR in 1811, who made them, and when? Truth is, I don't know. I suspect that the MOLDS for the busts were made in the year 1811. Perhaps the maker was a small potter, who then sold the very same molds to other potters. More likely, he was a professional modeler. He may have put his own initials on the molds---or he may have put this detail on the back of the bust as a label of sorts, to reference the order.
The GR 1811 molds were in use, it appears, for a few years, but Neptune was a hot topic in those days, so others too had a go at capturing his form. The third Neptune bust rendition is as below.
Initially, I concluded that the letters G. R. were the potter's initials, and 1811 was the date of manufacture. Seems reasonable, does it not? But time has taught me otherwise!
One small clue to what happened here is that on each bust the "GR" and "1811" are positioned in the very same spot. In other words, the letters are numbers are integral to the mold itself, rather than something the potter scratched into the clay. The same molds were probably used by assorted potters over several years, and each time a bust impressed "G.R." and "1811" was the result!
So if these busts were not made by GR in 1811, who made them, and when? Truth is, I don't know. I suspect that the MOLDS for the busts were made in the year 1811. Perhaps the maker was a small potter, who then sold the very same molds to other potters. More likely, he was a professional modeler. He may have put his own initials on the molds---or he may have put this detail on the back of the bust as a label of sorts, to reference the order.
The GR 1811 molds were in use, it appears, for a few years, but Neptune was a hot topic in those days, so others too had a go at capturing his form. The third Neptune bust rendition is as below.
I will admit that I don't like this Neptune model. It is invariable rather clunky and dull, but I look forward to finding one that makes me eat my words!
