By Ralph Wood Pottery
Located in Downingtown, PA
Woodland Wonders: A Fine Pair of Ralph Wood-Type Stag and Hind Figures
Late 18th Century
This charming pair of late 18th-century pearlware pottery figures represents a classic example of the Staffordshire animal models that became highly fashionable during the reign of George III. The set features a stag and a doe, both depicted in recumbent, naturalistic poses atop verdant, rocky mounds after a model by John Voyez. The bases are meticulously decorated with applied shredded clay to simulate the texture of moss or undergrowth, a technique that adds a tactile dimension to the artisanal quality of the pieces. Both figures are finished with the soft, translucent colored glazes characteristic of the Ralph Wood family, with warm ochre and manganese tones highlighting the form of the animals against the vibrant green of the grass.
The stag is particularly striking with his dark, multi-pointed antlers and alert expression, while the doe is modeled with a gentle, turned head that suggests a moment of quiet repose in the English countryside. The use of lead glazes in this manner allows the earthenware body to shine through, creating a luminous and sophisticated aesthetic that was a significant advancement in pottery decoration during this period. These figures were likely intended for display on a mantlepiece or in a dining room cabinet, bringing a touch of the picturesque landscape into the Georgian home.
Dimensions
Stag: 6 1/2 inches (16.51 cm) high, 6 1/4 inches (15.88 cm) wide, 3 inches (7.62 cm) deep
Hind: 5 1/4 inches (13.34 cm) high, 6 1/10 inches (15.49 cm) wide, 3 inches (7.62 cm) deep
Condition Report
The figures are in good antique condition, with the glazes remaining notably clear and vibrant. There is a pinhead sized frit to the back of the each ear of the hind.
Provenance
Maryland Private Collection
Reference:
See pair of very similar form at the MFA (Museum of Fine Arts, Houston), The Bayou Bend Collection, gift of Miss Ima Hogg, Object number B.56.21.1,.2 and another pair in The Met, Object Number: 44.39.60.
A similar pair can be found in the Metropolitan Museum of Art, from the Marion E. and Leonard A. Cohn Collection, Bequest of Marion E. Cohn, 1966, Object Number: 66.64.24
Literature
F. Partridge, Ralph Wood Pottery...
Category
Late 18th Century English Georgian Antique Ceramic Decorative Objects
MaterialsCeramic, Pearlware, Pottery