Jug
ca.1847 (made)
| Artist/Maker | |
| Place of origin |
Commemorative items of pottery were tremendously popular in the 19th century, and this jug was manufactured by the Glasgow firm J & M.P. Bell in a black version as well as blue. It may have been produced to commemorate Jenny Lind's first appearance in Glasgow as part of her provincial tour in August and September 1847, when she gave concert performances with the tenor Signor Gardoni, the bass Signor Lablache, and an orchestra conducted by Mr. Balfe. Italo Gardoni had played a small role in Robert Le Diable, Jenny Lind's London debut, and had partnered her in La Sonnambula, and in La Figlia del Reggimento soon afterwards. Luigi Lablache also appeared with Lind in the London premiere of La Figlia del Reggimento, and the conductor and musical director Michael William Balfe conducted the orchestra for Jenny Lind's debut in London in Robert le Diable,and many subsequent performances.
The soprano Jenny Lind (1820-1887) was born Johanna Maria Lind in Stockholm, and by the age of 25 was a leading figure of the opera houses of Sweden, Germany and France. She was an overnight sensation in England after her eagerly anticipated first appearance in the country on 4 May 1847 at Her Majesty's Theatre as Alice in Robert Le Diable. Queen Victoria was in attendance, and crowds of people thronged the Haymarket to glimpse her. The Times wrote the next day: 'that we never witnessed such a scene of enthusiasm as that displayed last night on the occasion of Mademoiselle Jenny Lind's début as Alice in an Italian version of Robert le Diable'. During the summer whilst she appeared at Her Majesty's Theatre she also made several private appearances for Queen Victoria and the Royal family, and as 'Jenny Lind mania' took hold of London, critics lavished praise on 'the Swedish nightingale'.
The soprano Jenny Lind (1820-1887) was born Johanna Maria Lind in Stockholm, and by the age of 25 was a leading figure of the opera houses of Sweden, Germany and France. She was an overnight sensation in England after her eagerly anticipated first appearance in the country on 4 May 1847 at Her Majesty's Theatre as Alice in Robert Le Diable. Queen Victoria was in attendance, and crowds of people thronged the Haymarket to glimpse her. The Times wrote the next day: 'that we never witnessed such a scene of enthusiasm as that displayed last night on the occasion of Mademoiselle Jenny Lind's début as Alice in an Italian version of Robert le Diable'. During the summer whilst she appeared at Her Majesty's Theatre she also made several private appearances for Queen Victoria and the Royal family, and as 'Jenny Lind mania' took hold of London, critics lavished praise on 'the Swedish nightingale'.
Object details
| Categories | |
| Object type | |
| Materials and techniques | Glazed earthenware |
| Brief description | Glazed earthenware jug, transfer-printed in blue with an image of the opera singer Jenny Lind (1820-1887) 'the Swedish nightingale'. Made by J & M.P. Bell & Co., Glasgow, ca.1847 |
| Physical description | Glazed earthenware octagonal jug with decorative handle, transfer-printed in blue with an image of the opera singer Jenny Lind on each side, seen against an outdoor setting with classical architectural features. Printed on the base with the backstamp of J & M.P. Bell & Co., a picture of a singing nightingale, and the name Jenny Lind. |
| Dimensions |
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| Credit line | Acquired with the support of the Friends of the V&A |
| Summary | Commemorative items of pottery were tremendously popular in the 19th century, and this jug was manufactured by the Glasgow firm J & M.P. Bell in a black version as well as blue. It may have been produced to commemorate Jenny Lind's first appearance in Glasgow as part of her provincial tour in August and September 1847, when she gave concert performances with the tenor Signor Gardoni, the bass Signor Lablache, and an orchestra conducted by Mr. Balfe. Italo Gardoni had played a small role in Robert Le Diable, Jenny Lind's London debut, and had partnered her in La Sonnambula, and in La Figlia del Reggimento soon afterwards. Luigi Lablache also appeared with Lind in the London premiere of La Figlia del Reggimento, and the conductor and musical director Michael William Balfe conducted the orchestra for Jenny Lind's debut in London in Robert le Diable,and many subsequent performances. The soprano Jenny Lind (1820-1887) was born Johanna Maria Lind in Stockholm, and by the age of 25 was a leading figure of the opera houses of Sweden, Germany and France. She was an overnight sensation in England after her eagerly anticipated first appearance in the country on 4 May 1847 at Her Majesty's Theatre as Alice in Robert Le Diable. Queen Victoria was in attendance, and crowds of people thronged the Haymarket to glimpse her. The Times wrote the next day: 'that we never witnessed such a scene of enthusiasm as that displayed last night on the occasion of Mademoiselle Jenny Lind's début as Alice in an Italian version of Robert le Diable'. During the summer whilst she appeared at Her Majesty's Theatre she also made several private appearances for Queen Victoria and the Royal family, and as 'Jenny Lind mania' took hold of London, critics lavished praise on 'the Swedish nightingale'. |
| Bibliographic reference | |
| Collection | |
| Accession number | S.1654-2014 |
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| Record created | July 30, 2014 |
| Record URL |
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