Figurine
Ceramic
1890s (made)
1890s (made)
| Artist/Maker | |
| Place of origin |
This figurine, modelled by C.J. Noke for Doulton, represents the great actor Henry Irving as Cardinal Wolsey in Shakespeare's Henry VIII which he first played at the Lyceum Theatre on 5 January 1892. Irving spared no expense on the lavish settings and costumes for this production, based on paintings by Holbein. Irving's on-stage partnership with Ellen Terry became one of the most famous in the history of the theatre. In the 1890s Royal Doulton at Burslem produced a pair of monochrome figures showing them in their respective roles, and then later re-issued them.
Royal Doulton began in Lambeth, London, in 1815 when John Doulton manufactured ceramic items such as stoneware bottles and sewer pipes. The Victorian revolution in hygiene and sanitation ensured its success, and Doulton's later produced tableware and commemorative items. They moved to Burslem in The Potteries in 1882, added porcelain to their production two years later and were granted a Royal Warrant in 1901.
Royal Doulton began in Lambeth, London, in 1815 when John Doulton manufactured ceramic items such as stoneware bottles and sewer pipes. The Victorian revolution in hygiene and sanitation ensured its success, and Doulton's later produced tableware and commemorative items. They moved to Burslem in The Potteries in 1882, added porcelain to their production two years later and were granted a Royal Warrant in 1901.
Object details
| Categories | |
| Object type | |
| Title | Figurine (generic title) |
| Materials and techniques | Glazed bone china |
| Brief description | Figurine of Henry Irving as Cardinal Wolsey in 'Henry VIII' by William Shakespeare, Lyceum Theatre 5 January 1892. Royal Doulton china c.1900. |
| Physical description | Royal Doulton bone china figure of Henry Irving as Cardinal Wolsey in Henry VIII, standing full-length on a rectangular base, wearing a Cardinal's robe and cap, his right hand down by his side, the train of his cape held over his left arm. Uncoloured. |
| Dimensions |
|
| Marks and inscriptions | DOULTON BURSLEM ENGLAND (The crowned mark of the Doulton factory, stamped on the base.) |
| Credit line | Accepted by HM Government in lieu of Inheritance Tax and allocated to the Victoria and Albert Museum, 1996 |
| Object history | Henry Irving played Cardinal Wolsey in Shakespeare's Henry Vlll opposite Ellen Terry as Queen Katherine and William Terriss as the King, Lyceum Theatre 5 January 1892. |
| Production | Originally made4 at Burslem in the 1890s. This figurine re-introduce in a more highly coloured version in the HN series as HN344 |
| Subjects depicted | |
| Literary reference | Henry VIII |
| Summary | This figurine, modelled by C.J. Noke for Doulton, represents the great actor Henry Irving as Cardinal Wolsey in Shakespeare's Henry VIII which he first played at the Lyceum Theatre on 5 January 1892. Irving spared no expense on the lavish settings and costumes for this production, based on paintings by Holbein. Irving's on-stage partnership with Ellen Terry became one of the most famous in the history of the theatre. In the 1890s Royal Doulton at Burslem produced a pair of monochrome figures showing them in their respective roles, and then later re-issued them. Royal Doulton began in Lambeth, London, in 1815 when John Doulton manufactured ceramic items such as stoneware bottles and sewer pipes. The Victorian revolution in hygiene and sanitation ensured its success, and Doulton's later produced tableware and commemorative items. They moved to Burslem in The Potteries in 1882, added porcelain to their production two years later and were granted a Royal Warrant in 1901. |
| Associated object | S.1064-1996 (Object) |
| Bibliographic reference | Royal Doulton Figures Produced at Burslem c.1890-1978 by Desmond Eyles and Richard Dennis |
| Collection | |
| Accession number | S.1063-1996 |
About this object record
Explore the Collections contains over a million catalogue records, and over half a million images. It is a working database that includes information compiled over the life of the museum. Some of our records may contain offensive and discriminatory language, or reflect outdated ideas, practice and analysis. We are committed to addressing these issues, and to review and update our records accordingly.
You can write to us to suggest improvements to the record.
Suggest feedback
You can write to us to suggest improvements to the record.
Suggest feedback
| Record created | March 3, 2006 |
| Record URL |
Download as: JSONIIIF Manifest
