Derby Porcelain Figure of Shakespeare, circa 1765

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Derby Porcelain Figure of Shakespeare, circa 1765

About the Item

Derby porcelain figure of shakespeare, circa 1765. The patch mark period figure depicts Shakespeare standing with his right elbow resting on a pile of books with an open scroll which all rest upon a column with crowned heads at each corner and a purple cape across his back. All on a scroll base. In great condition with just the tip of his second finger invisibly repaired. Dimensions: 11 1/4 inches high x 7 inches x 5 inches deep ( 29.5 cms x 17cm x 13cm deep. Provenance: With D.M. & P. Manheim, London, 1960; Collection of Abby Rockefeller Mauzé, Collection of William Kelly Simpson The V & A has the same figure in their collection (Museum number: S.76-1988) although it is nowhere near as well painted and gilded and this example. They state, "This figurine of William Shakespeare (1564-1616) is based on the life-size white marble statue by Peter Scheemakers in the monument designed by William Kent, erected in Poets' Corner in Westminster Abbey in 1740, 124 years after Shakespeare's death, sponsored by the Earl of Burlington, Dr Mead, Alexander Pope and Mr Martin. Shakespeare is buried in Stratford upon Avon and although some time after his death there were suggestions that his remains should be moved from Stratford to Westminster Abbey, the idea was abandoned and the monument was built. The carved heads on the pedestal of the statue are of Queen Elizabeth I, Henry V and Richard III, and Shakespeare is shown pointing to a scroll inscribed with Prospero's Act IV lines from The Tempest: The Cloud capt Tow'rs, The Gorgeous Palaces, The Solemn Temples, The Great Globe itself, Yea all which it Inherit, Shall Dissolve; And like the baseless Fabrick of a Vision, Leave not a wrack behind. The speech is perhaps better known with the words that begin the passage: 'Our revels now are ended'. On the original monument, the words are in Latin. The Derby factory produced three versions of this figure in the late 1750s to mid-1760s, often sold as a pair with one of John Milton. There was a glazed version on a rectangular base, and one in biscuit porcelain. Its direct source was probably a reduced-sized plaster of the sculpture sold in London by John Cheere." This is a quote from The Tempest Act 4, scene 1, 148-158. Prospero: Our revels now are ended. These our actors, As I foretold you, were all spirits, and Are melted into air, into thin air: And like the baseless fabric of this vision, The cloud-capp'd tow'rs, the gorgeous palaces, The solemn temples, the great globe itself, Yea, all which it inherit, shall dissolve, And, like this insubstantial pageant faded, Leave not a rack behind. We are such stuff As dreams are made on; and our little life Is rounded with a sleep."

Dimensions:
Height: 11.25 in (28.58 cm)Width: 7 in (17.78 cm)Depth: 5 in (12.7 cm)
Style:
Georgian (Of the Period)
Materials and Techniques:
Ceramic,Porcelain
Place of Origin:
England
Period:
Mid-18th Century
Date of Manufacture:
1765
Condition:
Wear consistent with age and use. In great condition with just the tip of his second finger invisibly repaired.
Seller Location:
Downingtown, PA
Reference Number:
Seller: NY9106/KLI1stDibs: LU861017080481