Henry Irving as Cardinal Wolsey
Ceramic
1890s (made)
1890s (made)
| Artist/Maker | |
| Place of origin |
This figurine 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. The figures were later re-issued in coloured versions.
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 | Henry Irving as Cardinal Wolsey (generic title) |
| Materials and techniques | Glazed bone china |
| Brief description | Figurine of Henry Irving as Cardinal Wolsey in Shakespeare's Henry VIII, Lyceum Theatre, opening 5 January 1892. Royal Doulton bone china, ca.1900 |
| Physical description | Royal Doulton bone china figure of Henry Irving as Cardinal Wolsey in Henry VIII, full length, standing on a rectangular base. He wears a cardinal's robe and cap, and holds the train of his cape over his left arm. His right arm is down by his side and in his right hand he holds a scroll. Uncoloured. |
| Dimensions |
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| 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 Henry VIII. |
| Production | Originally made at Burslem in the 1890s. This figurine was re-introduced in a more highly coloured version which had the number HN344. |
| Subjects depicted | |
| Literary reference | Henry VIII |
| Summary | This figurine 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. The figures were later re-issued in coloured versions. 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 |
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| Record created | March 3, 2006 |
| Record URL |
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