//
For internal use only
On Display: Galleries
Figure (William Shakespeare)
William Shakespeare
Sampson Smith factory
1860-1865
Category
Ceramics
Creator/Artist/Maker
Sampson Smith factory (Possible maker)
Place of Origin
Staffordshire; England; United Kingdom; Europe
Materials
- Earthenware (white)
- Lead glaze
Museum Object Number
2002.0030.146
Credit Line/Donor
Gift of Thomas N. and A. Pat Bernard
Share Object
Complete Details
Object Number
2002.0030.146
Object Name
Figure (William Shakespeare)
Title
William Shakespeare
Category
Ceramics - Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Norton Bernard Collection of English Pottery Figures
Creator (Role)
Sampson Smith factory (Possible maker)
Place of Origin
Staffordshire; England; United Kingdom; Europe
Date
1860-1865
Mark/Signature/Inscription/Label
Type: Inscription
Location: Front of base
Inscription: "Shakespeare" in gilt script
Type: Label
Location: Underside
Inscription: Bernard collection label with number "221"
Type: Label
Location: Reverse of base
Inscription: White label bearing "#8" in black ink
Mark/Signature: No
Subject(s)
- Literature
- Shakespeare
- William
- Illustrious Moderns
- Theater
- Literary scene
Materials
- Earthenware (white)
- Lead glaze
Techniques
- Press-molded
- Painted
- Gilded
- Enameled
Dimensions (inches)
18 (H) x 9.2 (W) x 5 (D)
Dimensions (centimeters)
45 (H) x 23.4 (W) x 12.7 (D)
Bibliography and Bibliographic Notes
Book: Pugh, P. D. Gordon. 1987 Staffordshire Portrait Figures of the Victorian Era.
• Similar example: p. H490, fig.3. Attributed to Sampson Smith.Book: Harding, Adrian & Harding, Nicholas. 1998 Victorian Staffordshire Figures 1835-1875. 1.
• Similar example differently painted: p. 128, fig. 319P, noting oddly paired with Garibaldi since his 1864 visit to England matched Shakespeare's tricentenary (birth).Book: Reilly, Robin. 1989 Wedgwood.
• Wedgwood basalt Milton and Shakespeare (after same source): vol. II, p. 757, no. 1248, marked WEDGWOOD with names impressed on plinths. c. 1870Book: Reilly, Robin. 1989 Wedgwood.
• Enameled pearlware bust of Shakespeare: vol. 1, col. pl. C70, attributed to Ralph Wood and impressed "WEDGWOOD.", C. 1785.Catalogue: Temple Newsam House, Leeds & Temple Newsam House, Leeds. 1974 The Man at Hyde Park Corner: Sculpture by John Cheere 1709-1787 (exhib. cat. May 5- June 15, 1974).
• Bronzed plaster copy, probably by John Cheere, of P. Sheemakers 1740 statue for the Westminster Abby monument to Shakespeare. See for further references.Book: Halfpenny, Patricia A. 1991 English Earthenware Figures, 1740-1840.
• Earlier version of similarly posed figure, enameled pearlware: p. 181, c. 1810-20Catalogue: Bonhams (auction catalogue).
• Derby porcelain full-length versions of Milton and Shapespeare: September 9, 2009 (London), lot 223, Derby, c. 1780, the Shakespeare plinth with applied busts of Richard II, Elizabeth I and Henry V.Book: Read, Herbert. 1929 Staffordshire Pottery Figures.
• More delicately modelled earthenware version with details in gold and black enamel: pl. 68, c. 1840Book: Halliday, Rosemary & Halliday, Richard. 2012 Extraordinary British Transferware: 1780-1840.
• Blue transferprinted mug with Shakespeare portrait after same design inspiration (Poet's Corner, Westminster Abbey): p. 193, c. 1830