Skip to main content
Want more images or videos?
Request additional images or videos from the seller
1 of 12

Stoneware figural statue of Erin, the personification of Ireland

$95,000
£70,542.42
€82,848.63
CA$132,171.50
A$147,979.38
CHF 77,590.45
MX$1,828,377.03
NOK 977,687.76
SEK 922,898.27
DKK 618,152.23
Shipping
Retrieving quote...
The 1stDibs Promise:
Authenticity Guarantee,
Money-Back Guarantee,
24-Hour Cancellation

About the Item

A rare stoneware figure of Erin, the female personification of Ireland, the partially-draped figure playing a small harp and standing alongside a tree trunk encircled with roses and ivy, the trunk bearing a portrait medallion of the Irish poet known in his time as the Bard of Erin, Thomas Moore (1779-1852), the figure’s hair embellished with shamrocks, after model by English sculptor, John Bell (1812-1895), produced by English manufacturer, John Marriott Blashfield (1811-1882), English, ca. 1860. Erin, derived from Ériu (also Éire, Éireann, Éirenn, Éirinn) is the patron goddess of Ireland in Irish folklore and mythology. Her name is thought to mean “earth”, as well as “land of abundance”. John Bell’s sculptural interpretation of the subject pairs her with a harp, the symbol of Ireland’s enduring hope for sovereignty. Shamrocks, one of the most recognizable symbols of Ireland, are said to represent both the holy trinity and the tenets of faith, love, and hope. Botanical symbolism is further expressed through the use of ivy and roses on the tree trunk; the pointed ivy leaves representing loyalty and forward momentum, and the roses evoking eternal beauty and self-reliance. Given that a portrait medallion of Thomas Moore is tied to the tree, the roses may also be a reference to his 1813 poem, “The Last Rose of Summer”, one of the most celebrated of Moore’s Irish Melodies. John Marriott Blashfield produced ornamental stoneware products from about 1848 until 1878, first from a manufactory in Millwall and later from Stamford in Lincolnshire. Blashfield, one of the two most admired English terra cotta/stoneware producers of the mid to late 19th century (along with Mark H. Blanchard), completed several important commissions including architectural terra cotta for the buildings of Dulwich College and the original Museum of Fine Arts in Boston (demolished 1906), and vases for Buckingham Palace, Hampton Court Palace, and Kew Palace. In 1854, Blashfield was awarded the contract to produce several statues-- sculpted by John Bell-- for the Crystal Palace when it was reconstructed at Sydenham. The relationship with John Bell (who by this point was highly regarded for “The Eagle Slayer” and other sculptures exhibited at the 1851 Crystal Palace Exhibition, along with the works produced in collaboration with the Coalbrookdale Company) was a lasting and fruitful one as it resulted not only in the 1854 Crystal Palace figures, but also in pieces for Blashfield’s own 1857 catalog, “Terra Cottas by J.M. Blashfield: A Selection of Vases, Statues, Busts, &c”. The figure of Erin appears therein as model # 179.
  • Creator:
  • Dimensions:
    Height: 71.5 in (181.61 cm)Width: 27 in (68.58 cm)Depth: 24 in (60.96 cm)
  • Style:
    Neoclassical (In the Style Of)
  • Materials and Techniques:
  • Place of Origin:
  • Period:
  • Date of Manufacture:
    Circa 1860
  • Condition:
    Replacements made: Harp strings replaced. Repaired: Harp strings replaced, left big toe restored, filled hairline cracks all over and shelter coat applied in a number of places. Statue needs winter protection in freeze/thaw climates. Wear consistent with age and use.
  • Seller Location:
    Katonah, NY
  • Reference Number:
    Seller: 065241stDibs: LU864444187642

More From This Seller

View All
Cast-iron Classical Figure of Diana de Gabii
Located in Katonah, NY
A fine cast-iron figure of Diana de Gabii, the Goddess standing next to a tree trunk and draped in robes, on its integral base. This model of Diana is one of many replicas derived f...
Category

Antique 1880s French Neoclassical Statues

Materials

Iron

A Terracotta Statue representing the Goddess Flora on Pedestal
Located in Katonah, NY
A fine and rare terra-cotta figure of Flora in contrapposto pose, classically robed with hair swept up and in curls, with a floral wreath in the figure’s proper right hand, and a nos...
Category

Antique 1870s Italian Neoclassical Statues

Materials

Terracotta

Carved Marble Figure of a Faun, Inspired by the Antique Original
Located in Katonah, NY
A carved marble figure of a faun playing the flute, the figure’s head is tilted to meet the flute in playing position, with left leg crossed in front of the right leg, and with left ...
Category

Antique 1890s Italian Neoclassical Revival Statues

Materials

Marble

A Pair of Stoneware Statues of Commerce and Knowledge
By Doulton Lambeth
Located in Katonah, NY
A fine and rare pair of stoneware figures representing Commerce and Knowledge, possibly produced by Doulton & Co. of Lambeth, England, the figure of Knowledge depicted as a youth, classically robed and seated on a tree trunk, with open book in proper left hand and stylus in proper right hand, the figure of Commerce depicted as a youthful Hermes, the Greek god of trade, commerce and communications, partially draped, wearing a winged helmet and holding a caduceus, standing alongside a barrel topped with a book and a money pouch, English, ca. 1870. Each figure 47 ins. high. Knowledge 20 ins. wide, 16 ins. deep. Commerce 20 ins. wide, 16 ins. deep. On associated composition stone square pedestals...
Category

Antique 1870s English Neoclassical Statues

Materials

Stoneware

Painted French Pair of Terracotta Pastoral Figures
Located in Katonah, NY
A pair of stoneware pastoral figures on cylindrical pedestals, the male figure in peasant dress with sheaf of wheat on proper right shoulder and the female figure, also in rustic dre...
Category

Antique Late 19th Century French Romantic Statues

Materials

Terracotta

A Life-Sized Composition Stone Statue of a Gentleman Hunter
Located in Katonah, NY
A composition stone figure of a gentleman, standing in long coat and knickers and wearing a wide-brim hat, his proper left hand grazing his chin, his pensive countenance with downwar...
Category

Vintage 1920s English Neoclassical Revival Statues

Materials

Cast Stone

You May Also Like

French 19th Century Plaster Neoclassical Style Statue of a Maiden
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A lovely French 19th century plaster neoclassical st. statue of a maiden. The statue is raised on a mottled platform with concave front sides. The maiden is draped at her hips in a classical fashion. One hand holds her garment up, and the other is raised above her head. Her hair is gathered up and she wears an upper arm bracelet...
Category

Antique 19th Century French Neoclassical Figurative Sculptures

Materials

Marble

Early 19th C Classical Plaster Sculpture Flora Goddess of Spring Humphrey Hooper
By Humphrey Hopper
Located in Lowestoft, GB
A fine and early to mid 19th century plaster depiction of Flora the Goddess of Spring, possibly by Humphrey Hooper Flora, the Roman goddess of spring, through the chaplet of flowers...
Category

Antique Early 19th Century English Figurative Sculptures

Materials

Plaster

Neoclassical Life-Size Greek Goddess of Spring Marble Sculpture Statue
Located in West Hartford, CT
Stunning architectural wonder, this neoclassical Greek goddess life-size sculpture is guaranteed to make quite the statement. All dimensions are below. Now, more than ever, home is w...
Category

Early 20th Century Neoclassical Statues

Materials

Marble

French Cast Stone Statue of Diana
Located in Godshill, Isle of Wight
French Cast Stone Statue of Diana A Large reconstituted stone Statue of Diana, Diana is the goddess of the countryside and hunters, she sitting on a t...
Category

Early 20th Century Classical Greek Sculptures and Carvings

Materials

Cast Stone

Early 20th Century French Stone Garden Statue of Woman Figure
Located in Dallas, TX
Decorate a garden or patio with this elegant antique outdoor statue. Made of cast stone in France circa 1920, the figure stands on a round base and depicts a young woman standing gra...
Category

Early 20th Century French Neoclassical Statues

Materials

Cast Stone

Late 19th-Early 20th C. French Alabaster Statue
Located in San Francisco, CA
Stunning alabaster statue depicting a maiden selling flowers in the style of Ada Cipriani. Late 19th-early 20th Century - France No visible signature 16" W x 14" D x 49.5" H
Category

Antique Late 19th Century French Art Nouveau Figurative Sculptures

Materials

Alabaster