Last week we looked at Time Clipping the Wings of Love, and this week Venus has my attention. Sounds like an early start on Valentine's day, does it not? But before I go there, I want to tell you that this year's New York Ceramics Fair was to die for. The ceramics were simply breathtaking. As always, Reggie Darling and Boy were there--what would the fair be without them?--and they have done the event justice in this week's blog. So click here to read all about it!
When I was photographing for my book due out later this year, I came across a pair of figures of Neptune and Venus in a private collection. The figures stood on tall plinth bases and had NEPTUNE and VENUS impressed on the back of each plinth in tiny upper case letters. I associate that type of titling with Ralph Wedgwood, but the figures seemed a little too fine to be Wedgwood's work....although, in fairness, he could pull it off sometimes! The figures were very like the pair below that I came across just this week. Fine old figure pairs like this are as scarce as hen's teeth, so I was pleased to see this pair. The picture doesn't do them justice, but you get the drift. Interestingly, this time I am told that only Venus is titled, again with small uppercase letters impressed on the reverse of her plinth. These figures are probably circa 1800.
When I was photographing for my book due out later this year, I came across a pair of figures of Neptune and Venus in a private collection. The figures stood on tall plinth bases and had NEPTUNE and VENUS impressed on the back of each plinth in tiny upper case letters. I associate that type of titling with Ralph Wedgwood, but the figures seemed a little too fine to be Wedgwood's work....although, in fairness, he could pull it off sometimes! The figures were very like the pair below that I came across just this week. Fine old figure pairs like this are as scarce as hen's teeth, so I was pleased to see this pair. The picture doesn't do them justice, but you get the drift. Interestingly, this time I am told that only Venus is titled, again with small uppercase letters impressed on the reverse of her plinth. These figures are probably circa 1800.
Below we have another pair of Venus and Neptune, from John Howard's archive. These figures are a little later, perhaps 15 to 25 years later, but they are stlll quite definitely early figures. They are after Derby porcelain models. Although very pretty and correct, I must admit that they are not my favorites.
On the other hand, I really like the "Sherratt" Neptune and Venus that you see below. They have a quirkiness that the Derby-style pair lack. And of course Cupid alongside Venus is a lovely addition. If you are ever considering a pair of these, be sure that Cupid is in place. I have seen several Venus figures that have lost the Cupid, and if you didn't know to look for it you might not miss it!
Below is another pair of "Sherratt" Neptune and Venus figures, courtesy of the Victoria and Albert Museum, London. I just love these bases. Can you notice something different about this Venus? Look carefully at her head.
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The two "Sherratt" Venus's have different heads. Both are correct, as "Sherratt" did indeed make two models of Venus, differing in only the head.
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And to prove my point that Ralph Wedgwood could, at times, really excel, I leave you with this 29.4 inch figure of Venus impressed WEDGWOOD. Is she not a stunner??? Photo courtesy of Skinner.
