Amazon on horseback
Figurine
ca.1850 (made)
ca.1850 (made)
| Artist/Maker | |
| Place of origin |
This figurine represents an Amazon on horseback. It is untitled, but another version was produced with the title Amazon. Amazons were female warriors in Greek legend, but there were also historical Amazons, female Scythian warriors from an Iranian tribe renowned for their cavalry. This may well represent a circus act featuring a female rider, performed at Astley's Circus some time in the 1850s.
Earthenware flatbacks and figurines for mantelpiece decoration were first produced in Staffordshire in the late 1830s. The earliest datable figures appear to be of Queen Victoria. Production of earthenware figures continued throughout Victoria's lifetime, but although they were still made after her death in 1901, few appear to have been produced after 1905. During their heyday, however, they were produced in vast numbers, usually modelled after prints. Since they were produced in moulds, they were relatively cheap and easy to make. They represented a wide variety of subjects but those of actors and actresses were especially popular.
Earthenware flatbacks and figurines for mantelpiece decoration were first produced in Staffordshire in the late 1830s. The earliest datable figures appear to be of Queen Victoria. Production of earthenware figures continued throughout Victoria's lifetime, but although they were still made after her death in 1901, few appear to have been produced after 1905. During their heyday, however, they were produced in vast numbers, usually modelled after prints. Since they were produced in moulds, they were relatively cheap and easy to make. They represented a wide variety of subjects but those of actors and actresses were especially popular.
Object details
| Categories | |
| Object type | |
| Title | Amazon on horseback (generic title) |
| Materials and techniques | Glazed earthenware |
| Brief description | Figurine of an Amazon on horseback, possibly an act performed at Astley's Circus.Glazed earthenware, Staffordshire, ca.1850 |
| Physical description | Glazed earthenware figurine of Amazon on a rearing piebald horse, on an oval base. The Amazon wears a helmet, a pale blue cloak, a pink bodice, a white skirt riding up to her knees, and black shoes. She holds her right hand above her head. A dead animal is draped from the horse. |
| 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 |
| Subject depicted | |
| Summary | This figurine represents an Amazon on horseback. It is untitled, but another version was produced with the title Amazon. Amazons were female warriors in Greek legend, but there were also historical Amazons, female Scythian warriors from an Iranian tribe renowned for their cavalry. This may well represent a circus act featuring a female rider, performed at Astley's Circus some time in the 1850s. Earthenware flatbacks and figurines for mantelpiece decoration were first produced in Staffordshire in the late 1830s. The earliest datable figures appear to be of Queen Victoria. Production of earthenware figures continued throughout Victoria's lifetime, but although they were still made after her death in 1901, few appear to have been produced after 1905. During their heyday, however, they were produced in vast numbers, usually modelled after prints. Since they were produced in moulds, they were relatively cheap and easy to make. They represented a wide variety of subjects but those of actors and actresses were especially popular. |
| Bibliographic reference | Victorian Staffordshire Figures 1835-1875, Book One, by A. & N. Harding, p.357, fig.1351.
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| Collection | |
| Accession number | S.1082-1996 |
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| Record created | February 7, 2006 |
| Record URL |
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