'Ferdinand the Bull'
Figure
ca. 1950
ca. 1950
| Artist/Maker | |
| Place of origin |
This Queen’s ware ‘Ferdinand’ figure was originally designed for Wedgwood by Arnold Machin (1911-1999) in the mid-1940s. Machin was born in Stoke-on-Trent and studied at the Stoke and Derby Schools of Art and at the Royal College of Art. During his association with Wedgwood, he modelled various figures for commercial production.
The peaceful bull, decorated with flowers, was allegedly inspired by the children’s story ‘The Story of Ferdinand’ (1936) written by Munro Leaf during the Spanish Civil War. It concerns the tale of the eponymous bull – who rather than wishing to fight in the bullring would rather sit in the field and smell the flowers. This story likely resonated with Machin, a conscientious objector who was imprisoned at Wormwood Scrubs in 1943 for refusing to accept military call-up papers.
The peaceful bull, decorated with flowers, was allegedly inspired by the children’s story ‘The Story of Ferdinand’ (1936) written by Munro Leaf during the Spanish Civil War. It concerns the tale of the eponymous bull – who rather than wishing to fight in the bullring would rather sit in the field and smell the flowers. This story likely resonated with Machin, a conscientious objector who was imprisoned at Wormwood Scrubs in 1943 for refusing to accept military call-up papers.
Object details
| Categories | |
| Object type | |
| Title | 'Ferdinand the Bull' (assigned by artist) |
| Materials and techniques | Queen's ware with hand-painted decoration |
| Brief description | Figure, 'Ferdinand the Bull', Queen's ware with hand-painted decoration, Arnold Machin for Josiah Wedgwood and Sons, Barlaston, ca. 1950 |
| Physical description | Figure, moulded Queen's ware with hand-painted decoration; in form of a whole bull with head, body, legs and tail, with incised decoration of scrolls, blue and yellow handpainted decoration on body. |
| Dimensions |
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| Credit line | V&A Wedgwood Collection. Presented by Art Fund with major support from the National Lottery Heritage Fund, private donations and a public appeal. |
| Summary | This Queen’s ware ‘Ferdinand’ figure was originally designed for Wedgwood by Arnold Machin (1911-1999) in the mid-1940s. Machin was born in Stoke-on-Trent and studied at the Stoke and Derby Schools of Art and at the Royal College of Art. During his association with Wedgwood, he modelled various figures for commercial production. The peaceful bull, decorated with flowers, was allegedly inspired by the children’s story ‘The Story of Ferdinand’ (1936) written by Munro Leaf during the Spanish Civil War. It concerns the tale of the eponymous bull – who rather than wishing to fight in the bullring would rather sit in the field and smell the flowers. This story likely resonated with Machin, a conscientious objector who was imprisoned at Wormwood Scrubs in 1943 for refusing to accept military call-up papers. |
| Other number | 10696 - Wedgwood Museum Accession Number |
| Collection | |
| Accession number | WE.11113-2014 |
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| Record created | February 26, 2024 |
| Record URL |
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