Figure
ca. 1790-1818 (made)
| Artist/Maker | |
| Place of origin |
The figure represents the Athenian orator Demosthenes (324-322 BC). The relief on the side of the plinth shows Hermes, messenger of the gods, who was associated with eloquence and reasoning; and this feature therefore also alludes to Demosthenes' oratorial skill.
The attribution to Enoch Wood's factory is based on similar figure with the mark 'E WOOD' in the Fitzwilliam Museum (inventory number C.900-1928). The V&A figure differs from the Fitwilliam example in that scroll does not overhang the plinth. The figure derives from a full-size plaster statue made in the 1750s in the London workshop of John Cheere, who later sold reduced sized casts of it. Wood could have obtained his cast from Charles Harris (died 1795), the owner of another London plaster shop. Harris's catalogue of about 1790 lists a model of Demosthenes, as well as several other subjects manufactured by Wood.
The attribution to Enoch Wood's factory is based on similar figure with the mark 'E WOOD' in the Fitzwilliam Museum (inventory number C.900-1928). The V&A figure differs from the Fitwilliam example in that scroll does not overhang the plinth. The figure derives from a full-size plaster statue made in the 1750s in the London workshop of John Cheere, who later sold reduced sized casts of it. Wood could have obtained his cast from Charles Harris (died 1795), the owner of another London plaster shop. Harris's catalogue of about 1790 lists a model of Demosthenes, as well as several other subjects manufactured by Wood.
Object details
| Categories | |
| Object type | |
| Materials and techniques | Lead-glazed earthenware, painted in overglaze enamels and moulded |
| Brief description | Figure of Demosthenes, a bearded man in lead-glazed earthenware, painted in overglaze enamels, and emblematic of Eloquence, made by Enoch Wood or Wood & Caldwell, Burslem, ca. 1790-1818. |
| Physical description | Figure of Demosthenes, a bearded man in lead-glazed earthenware, painted in overglaze enamels, and emblematic of Eloquence. He is standing on an oblong black plinth leaning forward with his right arm outstretched, his left arm holding his mantle which reaches to the ground and is coloured purple with yellow lining. By his side is a square stone-coloured pedestal, moulded with a plinth and cornice, and on the front is a low relief representing mercury flying through the clouds, and Demosthenes speaking to the waves. Resting on the pedestal is a scroll covered with simulated writing. |
| Dimensions |
|
| Credit line | Given by Lady Charlotte Schreiber |
| Object history | Sometimes known as St. Paul preaching at Athens. The models is after a 1750s statue by the sculptor John Cheere. |
| Subjects depicted | |
| Summary | The figure represents the Athenian orator Demosthenes (324-322 BC). The relief on the side of the plinth shows Hermes, messenger of the gods, who was associated with eloquence and reasoning; and this feature therefore also alludes to Demosthenes' oratorial skill. The attribution to Enoch Wood's factory is based on similar figure with the mark 'E WOOD' in the Fitzwilliam Museum (inventory number C.900-1928). The V&A figure differs from the Fitwilliam example in that scroll does not overhang the plinth. The figure derives from a full-size plaster statue made in the 1750s in the London workshop of John Cheere, who later sold reduced sized casts of it. Wood could have obtained his cast from Charles Harris (died 1795), the owner of another London plaster shop. Harris's catalogue of about 1790 lists a model of Demosthenes, as well as several other subjects manufactured by Wood. |
| Bibliographic reference | Poole, Julia E., English Earthenware Pottery (Fitzwilliam Museum Handbooks) (Cambridge University Press: 1995), cat. 37, p. 84 |
| Other number | Sch. II 310 - Schreiber number |
| Collection | |
| Accession number | 414:1216-1885 |
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 | April 16, 2009 |
| Record URL |
Download as: JSONIIIF Manifest
