The Westminster Boy
Statue
1873 (made)
1873 (made)
| Artist/Maker | |
| Place of origin |
This terracotta sculpture, called 'the Westminster Boy' was made after a model by Percival Ball (1845-1900) and executed by Doulton & Watts, in England in 187(3?). The figure was intended - by the lender of the sculpture Baroness Burdett Coutts - as a fountain figure to be placed in Vincent Square (the Westminster Boys play-ground) in London. The figure was eventually never installed at Vincent Square and entered the Museum as a temporary loan, until officially registered in 2000.
Doulton & Watts was an English ceramic manufactory, established in 1815, when John Doulton (1793–1873) became a partner in the small Vauxhall Walk pottery in Lambeth, London, which produced stonewares such as ink bottles and spirit flasks. In 1820 the company became Doulton & Watts. Doulton’s son Henry Doulton (1820–97) joined the firm in 1835, and the business was expanded to include architectural terracotta and chemical stonewares.
Doulton & Watts was an English ceramic manufactory, established in 1815, when John Doulton (1793–1873) became a partner in the small Vauxhall Walk pottery in Lambeth, London, which produced stonewares such as ink bottles and spirit flasks. In 1820 the company became Doulton & Watts. Doulton’s son Henry Doulton (1820–97) joined the firm in 1835, and the business was expanded to include architectural terracotta and chemical stonewares.
Object details
| Category | |
| Object type | |
| Title | The Westminster Boy (assigned by artist) |
| Materials and techniques | Terracotta |
| Brief description | Statue, terracotta, The Westminster Boy, by Percival Ball, England, 1873 |
| Physical description | Boy standing, wearing coat. |
| Dimensions |
|
| Object history | The property of Baroness Burdett-Coutts, this figure was received into the Museum from 28 August 1873 by Messrs Doulton & Watts, Lambeth Pottery, who appear to have produced the figure and acted as intermediary for the loan. As a redundant loan the piece was formally accessioned by the Sculpture Department in 2000. |
| Summary | This terracotta sculpture, called 'the Westminster Boy' was made after a model by Percival Ball (1845-1900) and executed by Doulton & Watts, in England in 187(3?). The figure was intended - by the lender of the sculpture Baroness Burdett Coutts - as a fountain figure to be placed in Vincent Square (the Westminster Boys play-ground) in London. The figure was eventually never installed at Vincent Square and entered the Museum as a temporary loan, until officially registered in 2000. Doulton & Watts was an English ceramic manufactory, established in 1815, when John Doulton (1793–1873) became a partner in the small Vauxhall Walk pottery in Lambeth, London, which produced stonewares such as ink bottles and spirit flasks. In 1820 the company became Doulton & Watts. Doulton’s son Henry Doulton (1820–97) joined the firm in 1835, and the business was expanded to include architectural terracotta and chemical stonewares. |
| Bibliographic reference | Bilbey, Diane and Trusted, Marjorie. British Sculpture 1470-2000. A Concise Catalogue of the Collection at the Victoria and Albert Museum. London: Victoria and Albert Museum, 2002, p. 189, cat.no. 268 |
| Other number | Doulton & Watts Loan.1 - Previous loan number |
| Collection | |
| Accession number | A.23-2000 |
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| Record created | June 13, 2000 |
| Record URL |
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