19th Century Portrait Bust of William Shakespeare
About the Item
- Creator:Staffordshire (Maker)
- Dimensions:Height: 10 in (25.4 cm)Width: 6 in (15.24 cm)Depth: 4.5 in (11.43 cm)
- Style:High Victorian (Of the Period)
- Materials and Techniques:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:1860-1880
- Condition:Wear consistent with age and use. Some wear to the gilding on the base of the the pedestal.
- Seller Location:West Palm Beach, FL
- Reference Number:
Staffordshire
Thanks to its reserves of clay, lead, salt and coal, Staffordshire, England, has been a center for ceramics since the early 17th century. The county was home at one time to hundreds of pottery workshops and as many as 4,000 bottle-shaped kilns that operated year-round. The term “Staffordshire Potteries” refers to the industrial area of Stoke-on-Trent — comprising the towns Burslem, Fenton, Hanley, Longton, Stoke and Tunstall — where most of the production was concentrated.
In 1720, potter John Astbury discovered that he could make what would later be called creamware by adding ground flint powder to the local red clay. Because resources were so plentiful in Staffordshire, local potters could afford to experiment, working to refine their techniques and designs. One such innovator was Thomas Whieldon, an important 18th-century potter known today for his tortoiseshell ware, whose brilliant glazed surface of caramel, yellow and green hues was made with copper and manganese compounds. Whieldon operated the Fenton Low workshop, making coffee- and teapots, dinner services and even ornamental knife hafts. He was an influential figure: Josiah Spode apprenticed at the workshop, and Josiah Wedgwood partnered with Whieldon for five years before establishing his eponymous firm in 1759.
Wedgwood is perhaps the best known of the Staffordshire potters. The firm produced a line of light-colored earthenware for Queen Charlotte, who liked it so much that she granted permission to market it under the moniker Queen’s Ware, which despite the name, was designed for everyday use. In the same regal vein, in 1773, Wedgwood created the 954-piece Frog service for Catherine the Great, of Russia. The company is also known for its black stoneware, Black Basalt, which imitates the color and shapes of Etruscan vases; Jasperware, with its classical reliefs applied on the unglazed body; and pearlware.
By the end of the 18th century, Staffordshire was the primary producer of ceramics for the American colonies, even creating patriotic wares celebrating independence for this market. The imagery on Staffordshire ceramics became more standardized the mid-18th century with the advent of transferware, in which a design etched on a copper plate is printed on tissue paper, which is then used to transfer the wet ink onto the ceramic surface. This technique enabled artisans to decorate their wares with complex scenes that wrapped around an object’s surface and make several copies of popular patterns.
The Staffordshire potters also produced decorative figurines, such as this charming pair of cows dating from the 19th century. Particularly popular in Great Britain were pieces with hunting imagery, such as this George IV porcelain stirrup cup in the shape of a fox head wearing a gilt collar inscribed with the word “Tallyho.” Among the many whimsical vessels produced is this mid-19th-century frog mug. The exterior is painted with a charming scene of people picking fruit on one side and ladies on a garden swing on the other side, while inside a molded frog’s head at the bottom of the mug makes a gurgling sound when the the beverage has been almost completely consumed.
- ShippingRetrieving quote...Ships From: West Palm Beach, FL
- Return PolicyA return for this item may be initiated within 2 days of delivery.
- 19th Century Staffordshire Military Portrait Figure of Omar PachaBy StaffordshireLocated in West Palm Beach, FL19th century Staffordshire military portrait figure of Omar Pacha, A rare well decorated version, depicting the Omar Pasha, also known as Omer Pasha ...Category
Antique Mid-19th Century English High Victorian Figurative Sculptures
MaterialsPottery
- 19th Century Staffordshire Figure of 'American Fireman'By StaffordshireLocated in West Palm Beach, FL19th century Staffordshire figure of 'American Fireman' England, Circa 1860s A rare example, well painted and modeled of a fireman in uniform leaning against a water pump holding a horn in the left arm. The right arm is draped with a cloth. The American Fireman figure came in three sizes, this is largest version. See the last image of a Currier and Ives print...Category
Antique 19th Century English High Victorian Pottery
MaterialsPottery
- Pair of 19th Century Staffordshire Figures of Recumbent SheepBy StaffordshireLocated in West Palm Beach, FLPair of 19th century Staffordshire figures of Recumbent Sheep. England, circa 1860s. A diminutive pair of expressive pair of Staffordshire pottery sheep with textured bodies. Som...Category
Antique 19th Century English High Victorian Pottery
MaterialsPottery
- 19th Century Bennington Pottery Seated Spaniel with Treacle Glaze, circa 1860sBy Bennington PottersLocated in West Palm Beach, FL19th Century Bennington pottery seated spaniel with treacle glaze, circa 1860s. From the Bennington factory in Vermont USA. A text book example, in well cared for antique condition...Category
Antique 19th Century American High Victorian Animal Sculptures
MaterialsPottery
- 19th Century Staffordshire Figurines of Queen Victoria and Prince Albert 'Large'By StaffordshireLocated in West Palm Beach, FL19th century Staffordshire Figurines of Queen Victoria and Prince Albert (Large) England, circa 1860 Offering a rare find, this pair of 19th-century Staffordshire Figures portrays t...Category
Antique 19th Century English High Victorian Pottery
MaterialsPottery
- 19th Century Diminutive Bronze & Marble Portrait Bust of Franz LisztLocated in West Palm Beach, FL19th Century Diminutive Bronze & Marble Portrait Bust of Franz Liszt Germany, Late 19th Century A splendid bronze bust of famed composer Franz Liszt in...Category
Antique Late 19th Century Austrian High Victorian Busts
MaterialsMarble, Bronze
- 19th Century Pair of Polish/German Stoneware FiguresLocated in Dallas, TXPresenting a lovely 19th century pair of Polish/German stoneware figures. Quite rare! Not a matching pair but similarly themed, with the little girl holding a basket of kittens with one kitten climbing up her front and the other of a little boy climbing a tree stump with a snail at the base. The ‘Little Girl’ is painted stoneware or earthenware and we are of the opinion is Polish in origin (or possibly Russian). It does not have any identifiable markings but it was originally with another similar style figurine (not included in this sale) which had markings that we were of the opinion were Polish markings. The ‘Little Boy’ is painted pottery and we are of the opinion that it is either Polish or German in origin. It is slightly different in style an texture to the girl and has a more ‘bisque’ finish. The facial features are more defined and remind me of German bisque dolls...Category
Antique Late 19th Century Polish High Victorian Figurative Sculptures
MaterialsPottery
- Portrait Medallions David Garrick & Sarah Siddons, Wedgwood, 19th CenturyBy WedgwoodLocated in Melbourne, VictoriaA matched pair of portrait medallions showing the famous actors Mr Garrick (C1830) and Mrs Siddons, (circa 1880). Framed as a pair, they work well together. David Garrick and Sarah Siddons...Category
Antique Mid-19th Century English Neoclassical Pottery
MaterialsPottery
- 19th Century Figural Bronze Sculpture of William ShakespeareLocated in Dublin 8, IE19th century figural bronze sculpture of William Shakespeare. William Shakespeare (1564-1616). Shakespeare was an English poe...Category
Antique 19th Century Irish Figurative Sculptures
MaterialsBronze
- 19th Century French Portrait BustLocated in Ross, CAThis portrait bust in relief of a French nobleman is mounted in the original gilt frame, though the subject’s identity and the artist remain a mystery. Beautifully sculpted, the bust...Category
Antique 1850s French Napoleon III Busts
MaterialsWood, Giltwood
- Staffordshire Mr & Mrs Gladstone Pair Political Portrait Pottery FiguresBy StaffordshireLocated in Bishop's Stortford, HertfordshireA rare pair Staffordshire pottery political figures titled Mr & Mrs Gladstone and dating from the latter 19th century. The cast figures portray prime minister William Ewart Gladstone...Category
Antique Late 19th Century English Late Victorian Figurative Sculptures
MaterialsPottery
- Blue Glazed Redware Character Jug Signed, 19th CenturyLocated in Bishop's Stortford, HertfordshireAn antique folk art blue glazed redware pottery pottery jug or flask modelled as a man wears a night gown and night cap with a spout behind the man’s head wi...Category
Antique Late 19th Century European Folk Art Figurative Sculptures
MaterialsPottery