Figurine, possibly of Hercules and Cupid
Figurine
ca.1850 (made)
ca.1850 (made)
| Artist/Maker | |
| Place of origin |
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. This figure may be a representation of Hercules and the Lion. Flatbacks were modelled on a variety of subjects including literary, political, mythological and theatrical figures, and children and animals.
Object details
| Categories | |
| Object type | |
| Title | Figurine, possibly of Hercules and Cupid (generic title) |
| Materials and techniques | Glazed earthenware |
| Brief description | Flatback figurine of a warrior and a boy, possibly Hercules and Cupid, with a lion. Glazed earthenware, Staffordshire, ca. 1850 |
| Physical description | Glazed earthenware flatback figure of a helmeted man seated on a lion, a boy in a tunic holding a bow (possibly Cupid) by his side. On an integral cream base, decorated in black and gold with red for the lion's mouth. |
| 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 | 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. This figure may be a representation of Hercules and the Lion. Flatbacks were modelled on a variety of subjects including literary, political, mythological and theatrical figures, and children and animals. |
| Collection | |
| Accession number | S.1080-1996 |
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| Record created | April 6, 2006 |
| Record URL |
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