Wikipedia tells us that "William Shakespeare (baptised 26 April 1564; died 23 April 1616)[nb 1] was an English poet and playwright, widely regarded as the greatest writer in the English language and the world's pre-eminent dramatist.[1] He is often called England's national poet and the "Bard of Avon." Wiki waxes on extensively about Shakespeare--in fact the entry does him proud....but nowhere does it mention the stunning Staffordshire figures of one of England's best-loved sons.
It is fitting that earthenware figures of Shakespeare can be particularly fine. Nothing naive or crude here. Below is a stunning example formerly (too late!) in the stock of Andrew Dando.
It is fitting that earthenware figures of Shakespeare can be particularly fine. Nothing naive or crude here. Below is a stunning example formerly (too late!) in the stock of Andrew Dando.
Talk about attention to detail. Look at the painting on the clothing, the gilding on the books, the lettering on the scroll in Shakespeare's hand, and the carved plinth he leans on. This is a tour de force. Height is 18 inches.
Large figures of this form are after the marble monument of Shakespeare erected in 1740 in Poet's Corner, Westminster Abbey. Such figures are believed to have been made by Enoch Wood or Wood & Caldwell. Enoch Wood was into time-capsules and he hid examples of his work for later discovery. A similar large figure of Shakespeare was unearthed behind a wall he is believed to have erected in 1810. This figure of Andrew's is incised "P.V." These are the initials of the London plaster maker Peter Vanina, and so Andrew's figure is thought to be derived from a reduced scale plaster wrought by Vanina after the Westminster Abbey marble.
Large figures of this form are after the marble monument of Shakespeare erected in 1740 in Poet's Corner, Westminster Abbey. Such figures are believed to have been made by Enoch Wood or Wood & Caldwell. Enoch Wood was into time-capsules and he hid examples of his work for later discovery. A similar large figure of Shakespeare was unearthed behind a wall he is believed to have erected in 1810. This figure of Andrew's is incised "P.V." These are the initials of the London plaster maker Peter Vanina, and so Andrew's figure is thought to be derived from a reduced scale plaster wrought by Vanina after the Westminster Abbey marble.
Above is the Westminster Abbey monument. Is the figure not scarily close in every detail? But give me the earthenware figure any time. Those enamels are just yummy.
Enoch Wood was not the only potter to capture Shakespeare in clay. This figure is in the Potteries Museum. It is a little shorter--about 15.5".
Enoch Wood was not the only potter to capture Shakespeare in clay. This figure is in the Potteries Museum. It is a little shorter--about 15.5".
This unknown potter clearly gave Shakespeare his best shot. The result is charming...but once you have seen the Enoch Wood version, you have to give this an A for effort but an E for execution. It just doesn't measure up.
Some busts of Shakespeare are made to the same very high standard as the Enoch Wood figure, and these too are probably Enoch Wood's handiwork.
Some busts of Shakespeare are made to the same very high standard as the Enoch Wood figure, and these too are probably Enoch Wood's handiwork.
This bust is again courtesy of Andrew Dando (now sold, put down your check book.) Would this not have been the perfect touch for a gentleman's library? Love the red tassels and the beautiful braid. A far cry from the current fashion trend which, the Wall Street Journal tells me, involves wearing your pajamas in public. Yes, kids are wearing them to school complete with fluffy slippers. Go figure.
Derby made a smaller porcelain figure of Shakespeare, about 10" high. I have photographed a pearlware look-alike for my book, so I hope we will have Shakespeare well represented.
Derby made a smaller porcelain figure of Shakespeare, about 10" high. I have photographed a pearlware look-alike for my book, so I hope we will have Shakespeare well represented.
