Staffordshire Pearlware Bust of Prince Albert, circa 1850
View Similar Items
Staffordshire Pearlware Bust of Prince Albert, circa 1850
About the Item
- Creator:Staffordshire (Maker)
- Dimensions:Height: 13 in (33.02 cm)Width: 9.75 in (24.77 cm)Depth: 8 in (20.32 cm)
- Style:Victorian (Of the Period)
- Materials and Techniques:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:circa 1850
- Condition:Wear consistent with age and use.
- Seller Location:Ottawa, CA
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU1417210833171
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.
- Bust of Alexandre Brongniart First Half of 20th CenturyLocated in Ottawa, OntarioBust of Alexandre Brongniart, After Jean Antoine Houdon, first half of 20th century, painted plaster in faux terracotta finish on white circular waisted socle, some retouching to the...Category
Early 20th Century French Louis XV Busts
MaterialsPlaster
- Group of Two Rare Meissen Style Porcelain Figures of Pig Sow and PigletBy Ernst Bohne SöhneLocated in Ottawa, OntarioA group of two rare Meissen style porcelain figures of pig sow and piglet, 19th century. Unmarked, Possibly by Ernest Bohne & Sohne Porzellanfabrik, Rudolstad...Category
Antique Mid-19th Century German Victorian Animal Sculptures
MaterialsPorcelain
- Six Unusual Rounded Square Porcelain Plates, 19th CenturyBy CarlsbadLocated in Ottawa, OntarioSix unusual rounded square porcelain plates, impressed mark for B&D Carlsbad, Bohemian, mid-19th century. With a wide border, striking hand painted floral decoration in deep burgundy...Category
Antique Mid-19th Century Czech Bohemian Porcelain
MaterialsPorcelain
- Lot of Two Victorian Brass Door Stops Late 19th CenturyLocated in Ottawa, OntarioLot of two victorian brass door stops Late 19th century The first, Scottish cast in brass, “Bobert Burns ploughman”. Mounted on a maple base. Measures: 4 1/2" - in.(11.5 cm.) h...Category
Antique Late 19th Century Scottish Late Victorian Figurative Sculptures
MaterialsBrass
- Fine Small Chinese Famille Rose Eggshell Bulbous VaseLocated in Ottawa, OntarioA fine small Chinese famille rose Eggshell bulbous vase First quarter of 20th century. Very thinly potted, bulbous shape, surmounted by a tapering neck with band of ruyi lappe...Category
Early 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Vases
MaterialsPorcelain
- Chinese Famille Rose Porcelain Charger, 20th CenturyLocated in Ottawa, OntarioA Chinese famille rose Porcelain charger 20th century. The center enamelled with two birds on a flowering peony branch the rim with further floral cartouches on yellow scrol...Category
20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Porcelain
MaterialsPorcelain
- Staffordshire Pearlware 'John Wesley' BustBy StaffordshireLocated in Chelmsford, EssexStaffordshire pottery pearlware bust with a religious theme which features John Wesley, resting on a plinth base. Decorated 'in the round', decoration to front and reverse. Open bott...Category
Antique 1820s English Folk Art Figurative Sculptures
MaterialsPottery
- Bust of Prince AlbertLocated in New York, NYIn centuries past, lucky artists were ennobled after mastering their craft and achieving renown, but Baron Marochetti had been born into the noblility before he proved his mettle as ...Category
Antique 1850s Italian Victorian Busts
MaterialsBronze
$8,000 - Pair of English Staffordshire Glazed Ceramic DogsBy StaffordshireLocated in Rio Vista, CAFine pair of English Staffordshire glazed ceramic spaniels featuring white bodies with remnants of gold decoration. Beautiful craquelure finish and fac...Category
20th Century English Victorian Animal Sculptures
MaterialsCeramic
$700 Sale Price / set22% Off - Antique Staffordshire Porcelain Pearlware Bocage Figurine Boy Dog TreeLocated in Dayton, OHAntique Victorian Staffordshire pearlware Bocage porcelain figurine in the shape of a young boy standing in front of a tree or shrub, holding a small dog....Category
Antique 19th Century Victorian Figurative Sculptures
MaterialsPorcelain
- 2 Antique Dudson English Staffordshire Pearlware Bocage Shepherd FiguresBy Dudson PotteryLocated in Dayton, OHPair of antique early Staffordshire pearlware bocage figures, a shepherd and a shepherdess each standing in front of a tree with three red and white sheep / lambs. Each piece uses sh...Category
Antique Mid-19th Century British Colonial Figurative Sculptures
MaterialsPorcelain
- Antique Dudson English Staffordshire Pearlware Bocage Shepherd Figure 5"By Dudson PotteryLocated in Dayton, OHAntique early English Staffordshire porcelain pearlware bocage group, showing male and female shepherds with a red and white lamb, standing in front of a flowering tree. Attributed ...Category
Antique Mid-19th Century British Colonial Figurative Sculptures
MaterialsPorcelain