William Charles Macready as Rob Roy Macgregor
Figurine
ca.1840 (made)
ca.1840 (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 those 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.
This figurine probably represents William Charles Macready (1793-1873) as Rob Roy Macgregor, a part he first played in 1818 in Pocock's Rob Roy Macgregor, or, Auld Lang Syne, which became one of his favourite roles. Macready, the son of an actor-manager, first appeared on the stage as Romeo in Birmingham in 1810 and made his London debut at Covent Garden in 1816. By 1819 he was firmly established as a great tragedian and the rival of the actor Edmund Kean. Macready did a lot to help restore the reputation of the theatre and was at times manager of both Covent Garden and Drury Lane theatres.
This figurine probably represents William Charles Macready (1793-1873) as Rob Roy Macgregor, a part he first played in 1818 in Pocock's Rob Roy Macgregor, or, Auld Lang Syne, which became one of his favourite roles. Macready, the son of an actor-manager, first appeared on the stage as Romeo in Birmingham in 1810 and made his London debut at Covent Garden in 1816. By 1819 he was firmly established as a great tragedian and the rival of the actor Edmund Kean. Macready did a lot to help restore the reputation of the theatre and was at times manager of both Covent Garden and Drury Lane theatres.
Object details
| Categories | |
| Object type | |
| Title | William Charles Macready as Rob Roy Macgregor (generic title) |
| Materials and techniques | Glazed earthenware |
| Brief description | Flat-back figurine, probably representing William Charles Macready (1793-1873) as Rob Roy Macgregor. Earthenware, Staffordshire, ca.1840 |
| Physical description | Flat-backed glazed earthenware figurine, probably of William Charles Macready as Rob Roy Macgregor, on an integral white base, decorated with a gold line and clusters of lichen or moss. He wears a multicoloured tartan kilt, a cream breast plate and cream and yellow sash across his chest and has a white headdress with blue, purple and green plumes, decorated with gilt details. He holds a shield in his left hand, held out to his left, and a rapier in his right hand, held down by his side. |
| Dimensions |
|
| Object history | Sir Walter Scott published his novel Rob Roy in 1817. The novel was dramatised several times, most notably in J. Pocock's operatic version which was performed at Covent Garden Theatre in 1818 and again in 1831. The story is set before the Jacobite uprising of 1715 when Rob Roy Macregor helps the narrator, Frank Osbaldistone to foil a plot by Rashleigh Hilderbrand to steal Frank's family fortunes. Rob Roy Macgegor was a farmer at Balquhidder. After his herds were stolen he formed a band of men to protect his and other farmers' cattle. After borrowing money from the Duke of Montrose to buy more catle, he could not repay the debt and the Duke seized his house and lands. Macgregor, feeling cheated, gathered the other clans and declared war on the Duke. The stories of his attacks and escapes became legendary. Finally he gained protection from the Duke of Argyll and changed his name to Campbell. Various figures of Rob Roy Macgregor, his wife Helen, and Frank's beloved, Diana Vernon, were produced in the mid 19th century. |
| 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 those 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. This figurine probably represents William Charles Macready (1793-1873) as Rob Roy Macgregor, a part he first played in 1818 in Pocock's Rob Roy Macgregor, or, Auld Lang Syne, which became one of his favourite roles. Macready, the son of an actor-manager, first appeared on the stage as Romeo in Birmingham in 1810 and made his London debut at Covent Garden in 1816. By 1819 he was firmly established as a great tragedian and the rival of the actor Edmund Kean. Macready did a lot to help restore the reputation of the theatre and was at times manager of both Covent Garden and Drury Lane theatres. |
| Bibliographic references |
|
| Collection | |
| Accession number | S.331-1984 |
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 | December 6, 2005 |
| Record URL |
Download as: JSONIIIF Manifest
