Not on display

Figurine of John Liston as Van Dunder

Figurine
ca.1830 (made)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

This is John Liston (1776-1846), the highest-paid comic actor on the English stage in his day, as Van Dunder in John Poole's comedy 'Twould Puzzle a Conjurer, first produced at London's Haymarket Theatre on 11 September 1824. It is based on a print published by Hodgson in 1826 which shows Liston as nine of his best-known characters. Pottery figures of seven of the characters are known to exist.

Despite a rather serious temperament, Liston achieved his greatest successes in farce, and particularly as Paul Pry, a role in which he was often depicted in paintings, drawings and figurines. Liston was the first comic actor to command a salary greater than a tragedian, earning the vast salary of £60-£100 a week with Madame Vestris's company at the Olympic Theatre. He retired in 1837 after a career of over 30 years.

Object details

Categories
Object type
TitleFigurine of John Liston as Van Dunder (generic title)
Materials and techniques
Glazed earthenware
Brief description
Figurine of John Liston as Van Dunder in John Poole's comedy 'Twould Puzzle a Conjurer, Haymarket Theatre, 11 September 1824. Robert Bloor & Co, ca.1830
Physical description
Polychromed ceramic figure of the actor John Liston as Van Dunder in John Poole's play 'Twould Puzzle a Conjuror, wearing baggy Dutch bloomers and large-buckled shoes, standing on a square green base edged with a gilt line, in front of a pillar, holding a scroll.
Dimensions
  • Height: 14.5cm
  • Width: 6.3cm
  • Of base height: 1.3cm
  • Of base width: 6.2cm
  • Of base depth: 6.0cm
Credit line
Accepted by HM Government in lieu of Inheritance Tax and allocated to the Victoria and Albert Museum, 1996
Object history
This shows the leading comic actor John Liston as Van Dunder in John Poole's play 'Twould Puzzle a Conjuror, Haymarket Theatre, 11 September 1824, which was adapted as a vehicle for Liston from an earlier play of Poole's The Burgomaster of Sardaam. The play's title comes from Liston's catch-phrase in the play.
Association
Summary
This is John Liston (1776-1846), the highest-paid comic actor on the English stage in his day, as Van Dunder in John Poole's comedy 'Twould Puzzle a Conjurer, first produced at London's Haymarket Theatre on 11 September 1824. It is based on a print published by Hodgson in 1826 which shows Liston as nine of his best-known characters. Pottery figures of seven of the characters are known to exist.

Despite a rather serious temperament, Liston achieved his greatest successes in farce, and particularly as Paul Pry, a role in which he was often depicted in paintings, drawings and figurines. Liston was the first comic actor to command a salary greater than a tragedian, earning the vast salary of £60-£100 a week with Madame Vestris's company at the Olympic Theatre. He retired in 1837 after a career of over 30 years.
Associated objects
Collection
Accession number
S.997-1996

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

Record createdDecember 28, 2005
Record URL
Download as: JSONIIIF Manifest