By Staffordshire
Located in Downingtown, PA
Large Staffordshire figure of Benjamin Franklin but named Washington for George Washington,
mid-19th century
The large Staffordshire pottery figure depicts an elegant standing figure with the name "Washington" written in gold enamel around the base. This refers to George Washington, the first President of the United States except the figure is actually of Benjamin Franklin.
The figure on a circular white base depicts the figure in a deep blue long jacket on a waistcoat decorated with flowers in iron-red and green enamel his left hand holding a three-cornered hat and his right a book.
According to the entry for a similar figure at the American Philosophical Society, this ceramic figurine is an adaptation of François Marie Suzanne's 1793 terracotta statuette of Benjamin Franklin. Suzanne’s statuette was frequently reproduced with variations of costume and poses.
In Staffordshire, a ceramics manufacturing center in northwest England, the statuette was misidentified as "George Washington," and the mistake was repeated. Staffordshire experts say that figurines labeled Washington resembling the first U.S. president are extremely rare. Nearly all of these so-called "Washington" statuettes actually depict Franklin.
Mel Buchanan, Assistant Curator of 20th century Design at the Milwaukee Art...
Category
Mid-19th Century European American Classical Antique Pearlware Sculptures
MaterialsPearlware, Pottery