Isaac Van Amburgh
Figurine
ca. 1843 (made)
ca. 1843 (made)
| Artist/Maker | |
| Place of origin |
This figurine represents the famous 19th century animal trainer Isaac Van Amburgh (1808-1865) performing with lions, tigers and a panther. Stars of the day were regularly commemorated in earthenware figurines such as this, made in Staffordshire.
Van Amburgh, three-quarters Dutch and one quarter Cherokee Indian, was born in America and made his name there with the Titus Menagerie before coming to Britain in 1838 and attracting considerable attention by his Drury Lane performances. They entranced Queen Victoria so much that she attended three performances in two weeks and wrote about them in her diaries. The Duke of Wellington commissioned Edwin Landseer, the sculptor of Trafalgar Square's lions, to paint Van Amburgh's portrait, and numerous engravings of him appeared performing various dramatic episodes with his beasts such as The Brute Tamer of Pompeii. The manufacturers of this figurine would have copied an engraving. A similar image features on a jug produced in Staffordshire at about the same time.
Van Amburgh, three-quarters Dutch and one quarter Cherokee Indian, was born in America and made his name there with the Titus Menagerie before coming to Britain in 1838 and attracting considerable attention by his Drury Lane performances. They entranced Queen Victoria so much that she attended three performances in two weeks and wrote about them in her diaries. The Duke of Wellington commissioned Edwin Landseer, the sculptor of Trafalgar Square's lions, to paint Van Amburgh's portrait, and numerous engravings of him appeared performing various dramatic episodes with his beasts such as The Brute Tamer of Pompeii. The manufacturers of this figurine would have copied an engraving. A similar image features on a jug produced in Staffordshire at about the same time.
Object details
| Categories | |
| Object type | |
| Title | Isaac Van Amburgh (generic title) |
| Materials and techniques | Glazed earthenware |
| Brief description | Figurine of the lion trainer Isaac Van Amburgh (1808-1865), Staffordshire, ca. 1839 |
| Physical description | Van Amburgh stands, bare-headed and bearded, in a short tunic as worn by gladiators. He is surrounded by his lions, including one on his left shoulder. |
| Dimensions |
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| Credit line | Antony Hippisley Coxe Collection |
| Object history | Van Amburgh invariably wore gladatorial costume when he appeared with his big cats. |
| Subject depicted | |
| Summary | This figurine represents the famous 19th century animal trainer Isaac Van Amburgh (1808-1865) performing with lions, tigers and a panther. Stars of the day were regularly commemorated in earthenware figurines such as this, made in Staffordshire. Van Amburgh, three-quarters Dutch and one quarter Cherokee Indian, was born in America and made his name there with the Titus Menagerie before coming to Britain in 1838 and attracting considerable attention by his Drury Lane performances. They entranced Queen Victoria so much that she attended three performances in two weeks and wrote about them in her diaries. The Duke of Wellington commissioned Edwin Landseer, the sculptor of Trafalgar Square's lions, to paint Van Amburgh's portrait, and numerous engravings of him appeared performing various dramatic episodes with his beasts such as The Brute Tamer of Pompeii. The manufacturers of this figurine would have copied an engraving. A similar image features on a jug produced in Staffordshire at about the same time. |
| Associated objects |
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| Bibliographic reference | Staffordshire Portrait Figures of the Victorian Era by P.D. Gordon Pugh, p.461, fig.200. |
| Collection | |
| Accession number | S.159-1986 |
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| Record created | February 1, 2006 |
| Record URL |
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