This striking figure, currently in the stock of Earl D. Vandekar, is sometimes found described as King William III, sometimes as the Duke of Cumberland.
Pearlware equestrian figure of King William III. H: 15-3/4'.
So which one is it? The confusion may arise because the Duke of Cumberland's name was William. In 1770, an equestrian statue of William, Duke of Cumberland (King George III's brother) was placed in Cavendish Square London. Maybe it looked somewhat like this figure. We don't know because the statue was removed in 1868 and all that remains today is its titled plinth.
The other candidate for representation is King William III, who ruled England from 1689 to 1702. It seems unlikely that a long-dead monarch inspired replication in clay, but that is indeed the case, and equestrian statues of William III popped up across England in the 18th and even 19th centuries.
The other candidate for representation is King William III, who ruled England from 1689 to 1702. It seems unlikely that a long-dead monarch inspired replication in clay, but that is indeed the case, and equestrian statues of William III popped up across England in the 18th and even 19th centuries.
Statue of King WiIliam III dressed as Caesar. Erected in Hull in 1734.
Statue of King WIlliam III attired as Caesar, by John Michael Rysbrack, erected in Bristol in 1736.
William III was a Dutch Protestant placed on the throne by England's parliament in 1689. He defeated his Catholic father-in-law, England's ousted King James II, at the Battle of the Boyne in 1690. This victory ensured the end of the Stuart monarchy. It sealed William's claim to the throne and secured a Protestant succession for the British monarchy. The landmark event was celebrated long afterwards. Jacobites attempted to reinstate the Stuarts in the 1700s and anti-Catholic sentiment prevailed in England well into the 19th century.
This pearlware plate, ca. 1800, bears a transfer print of the famous statue. It reads "William III. No Surrender 1690"
If you were Protestant, William's victory and accession to the throne was cause for celebration. Dublin erected what was probably the first statue in 1701, and other towns and cities followed. If you were politically astute, you needed a conspicuous display of your family's support of Protestantism. This was the motivation behind Sir William Jolliffe bequeathing £500 for an equestrian statue of William III to be erected in Petersfield, circa 1750. The statue, like those in Kingston upon Hull, Dublin, and Bristol, still stands. Designed by John Cheere, it bears the words "That no testimony might be wanting with how much love and emulation he admired liberty itself, as well as this its celebrated avenger, William Jolliffe, Esq., erected this statue to his memory and placed it in this town."
So why does William III look like Julius Caesar in all the statues? Apparently William led his forces to victory at Namur in 1795, and a medal was struck commemorating the event. The medal shows William III on horseback in Roman dress, a commander's baton in his right hand. The flattering "Caesar theme" was then adopted for statues. The story goes that Petersfield's statue's sculptor committed suicide because of an omission (rumored to be the tongue) in the statue. Next time you see the figure, check for all necessary body parts. Meanwhile, you can ask Paul Vandekar about our fine example in the stock of Earl D. Vandekar of Knightsbridge.
Our pearlware figure can reasonably be attributed to Enoch Wood and was probably made while he was in partnership with James Caldwell. I believe the figure dates to the earliest years of the 19thC and was inspired by the statue of William III erected in St James Square, London, ca, 1807. London's statue of William III has beneath the horses hooves a molehill. Why? King William III died from injuries caused when a molehill tripped his horse Thus, supporters of Catholic causes in later years toasted "the little gentleman in the black velvet waistcoat"--the mole!
So why does William III look like Julius Caesar in all the statues? Apparently William led his forces to victory at Namur in 1795, and a medal was struck commemorating the event. The medal shows William III on horseback in Roman dress, a commander's baton in his right hand. The flattering "Caesar theme" was then adopted for statues. The story goes that Petersfield's statue's sculptor committed suicide because of an omission (rumored to be the tongue) in the statue. Next time you see the figure, check for all necessary body parts. Meanwhile, you can ask Paul Vandekar about our fine example in the stock of Earl D. Vandekar of Knightsbridge.
Our pearlware figure can reasonably be attributed to Enoch Wood and was probably made while he was in partnership with James Caldwell. I believe the figure dates to the earliest years of the 19thC and was inspired by the statue of William III erected in St James Square, London, ca, 1807. London's statue of William III has beneath the horses hooves a molehill. Why? King William III died from injuries caused when a molehill tripped his horse Thus, supporters of Catholic causes in later years toasted "the little gentleman in the black velvet waistcoat"--the mole!
