Sir John Falstaff
Figurine
ca.1850 (made)
ca.1850 (made)
| Artist/Maker | |
| Place of origin |
This continental figurine of Falstaff was probably made in the area of Germany known as Thuringia, and was modelled after an earlier figure made by the Derby factory, of the corpulent actor James Quin (1693-1766) as Shakespeare's equally corpulent Falstaff, the character who appears in both the Henry IV plays and The Merry Wives of Windsor.
Quin was Britain's foremost actor after the death of Robert Wilks in 1732 and before the London début of David Garrick in 1741, and could command extremely high salaries wherever he appeared. His fame would have ensured that he was remembered by many in the 19th century when this was made, but this figure probably sold well because it was of the popular character Falstaff rather than because of the fame of its original subject, Quin.
Quin was Britain's foremost actor after the death of Robert Wilks in 1732 and before the London début of David Garrick in 1741, and could command extremely high salaries wherever he appeared. His fame would have ensured that he was remembered by many in the 19th century when this was made, but this figure probably sold well because it was of the popular character Falstaff rather than because of the fame of its original subject, Quin.
Object details
| Categories | |
| Object type | |
| Title | Sir John Falstaff (generic title) |
| Materials and techniques | Glazed porcelain |
| Brief description | Figurine of Falstaff, modelled after the earlier Derby figurine of the actor James Quin (1693-1766) as Sir John Falstaff, glazed porcelain, possibly Thuringian, ca.1850 |
| Physical description | Figurine of James Quin in costume as Falstaff. He is wearing a dark red coat, a pale yellow waistcoat with dark red trim, a white ruff collar, maroon trousers, and black calf-high boots. He has a black belt under a substantial belly and a black hat. He holds a shield and sword. The figure is supported by a pedestal. |
| Dimensions |
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| Credit line | Accepted by HM Government in lieu of Inheritance Tax and allocated to the Victoria and Albert Museum, 1996 |
| Object history | The first Derby figure, after which this was copied, probably dates from the death of James Quin in 1766. Although the first figure was clean-shaven, subsequent figures were bearded; later there was a reversion to the beardless type. James Quin was famous for having played Falstaff without a beard. |
| Association | |
| Summary | This continental figurine of Falstaff was probably made in the area of Germany known as Thuringia, and was modelled after an earlier figure made by the Derby factory, of the corpulent actor James Quin (1693-1766) as Shakespeare's equally corpulent Falstaff, the character who appears in both the Henry IV plays and The Merry Wives of Windsor. Quin was Britain's foremost actor after the death of Robert Wilks in 1732 and before the London début of David Garrick in 1741, and could command extremely high salaries wherever he appeared. His fame would have ensured that he was remembered by many in the 19th century when this was made, but this figure probably sold well because it was of the popular character Falstaff rather than because of the fame of its original subject, Quin. |
| Associated objects |
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| Collection | |
| Accession number | S.934-1996 |
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| Record created | January 19, 2006 |
| Record URL |
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