Items Similar to Stoneware figural statue of Erin, the personification of Ireland

A Pair of Stoneware Statues of Commerce and Knowledge

Antique Terracotta Statue of a Renaissance Figure

Italian Marble Figural Statue. Circa 1820

Putto as Personification of Spring, 20th Century

Alabaster Statue of David After the Antique

Early 20th Century French Stone Garden Statue of Woman Figure

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

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:
John Marriott Blashfield (Manufacturer)
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:
Stoneware,Cast
Place of Origin:
England
Period:
1860-1869
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

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

A Pair of Stoneware Statues of Commerce and Knowledge

$49,500 / set

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

A Terracotta Statue representing the Goddess Flora on Pedestal

$90,000

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

Carved Marble Figure of a Faun, Inspired by the Antique Original

$39,500

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

Cast-iron Classical Figure of Diana de Gabii

$41,500

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

A Life-Sized Composition Stone Statue of a Gentleman Hunter

$10,500

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

Painted French Pair of Terracotta Pastoral Figures

$11,500 / set

Antique Late 19th Century English Arts and Crafts Statues

Materials

Terracotta

Antique Terracotta Statue of a Renaissance Figure

$2,541

Italian Marble Figural Statue. Circa 1820

Located in Charleston, SC

Italian marble statue of standing lady with cloak terminating on circular plinth, Early 19th century.

Category

Antique 1820s Italian Neoclassical Statues

Italian Marble Figural Statue. Circa 1820

$7,000

Putto as Personification of Spring, 20th Century

Located in Greding, DE

Cast stone garden figure in the shape of a putto as the personification of spring, dressed with a garland of flowers and other flowers in his hair.

Category

20th Century Statues

Materials

Cast Stone

Putto as Personification of Spring, 20th Century

$2,406

Alabaster Statue of David After the Antique

Located in Wormelow, Herefordshire

An alabaster statue of David after the antique. In Neoclassical style, this impactful sculpture is expertly carved. This depiction of Michelangelos original...

Category

Antique Late 19th Century Italian Neoclassical Statues

Materials

Alabaster

Alabaster Statue of David After the Antique

$3,897

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

Early 20th Century French Stone Garden Statue of Woman Figure

$1,900

Cast Iron Garden Figural Statue of Lady Liberty

Located in Milford, NH

A fine cast iron garden statue of Lady Liberty with great verdigris and patina, with some rust in spots, light soiling, minor paint loss and wear commen...

Category