Britannia
Figure
ca. 1785 (made)
ca. 1785 (made)
| Artist/Maker | |
| Place of origin |
Object Type
Britannia stands surrounded by military trophies and with the British lion at her side. The Derby factory advertised 'biscuit' (unglazed) figures as being 'particularly suited for the Embellishment of Desserts'. However, given its size and frontal pose, this particular figure was probably intended for display on a mantelpiece or other form of domestic furnishing.
Design & Designing
The Derby porcelain factory first made a figure of Britannia in the 1760s. This was available in three sizes and stood on a tall Rococo base. The factory reissued the subject around 1780, completely remodelling it to bring it more in line with Neo-classical taste. Derby's modeller may have originally adapted the design from a lead garden sculpture by John Cheere.
Trading
'A large figure of Brittania' was included in a London auction of Derby porcelain held in 1779. This would have been painted in enamels and was bought for £1 3s. An undecorated version like this one would have been more expensive, as the standard of finish had to be higher. The earlier figures of Britannia were priced at 36 shillings in 1763, and enamelled and gilt versions are priced at £2 2s, £1 11s 6d, and £1 1s in an undated factory list.
Britannia stands surrounded by military trophies and with the British lion at her side. The Derby factory advertised 'biscuit' (unglazed) figures as being 'particularly suited for the Embellishment of Desserts'. However, given its size and frontal pose, this particular figure was probably intended for display on a mantelpiece or other form of domestic furnishing.
Design & Designing
The Derby porcelain factory first made a figure of Britannia in the 1760s. This was available in three sizes and stood on a tall Rococo base. The factory reissued the subject around 1780, completely remodelling it to bring it more in line with Neo-classical taste. Derby's modeller may have originally adapted the design from a lead garden sculpture by John Cheere.
Trading
'A large figure of Brittania' was included in a London auction of Derby porcelain held in 1779. This would have been painted in enamels and was bought for £1 3s. An undecorated version like this one would have been more expensive, as the standard of finish had to be higher. The earlier figures of Britannia were priced at 36 shillings in 1763, and enamelled and gilt versions are priced at £2 2s, £1 11s 6d, and £1 1s in an undated factory list.
Object details
| Categories | |
| Object type | |
| Title | Britannia (generic title) |
| Materials and techniques | Biscuit porcelain, with smear glaze |
| Brief description | Britannia |
| Physical description | FIGURE OF BRITANNIA |
| Dimensions |
|
| Gallery label | British Galleries:
The mythical figure of Britannia had appeared in allegorical painting as well as on English coinage from the time of the restoration of Charles II in 1660. But in the mid-18th century she came to be more frequently represented as an independent figure. This figure was modelled in the 1760s and then reissued in the 1780s.(27/03/2003) |
| Object history | Made at the Derby porcelain factory |
| Subject depicted | |
| Summary | Object Type Britannia stands surrounded by military trophies and with the British lion at her side. The Derby factory advertised 'biscuit' (unglazed) figures as being 'particularly suited for the Embellishment of Desserts'. However, given its size and frontal pose, this particular figure was probably intended for display on a mantelpiece or other form of domestic furnishing. Design & Designing The Derby porcelain factory first made a figure of Britannia in the 1760s. This was available in three sizes and stood on a tall Rococo base. The factory reissued the subject around 1780, completely remodelling it to bring it more in line with Neo-classical taste. Derby's modeller may have originally adapted the design from a lead garden sculpture by John Cheere. Trading 'A large figure of Brittania' was included in a London auction of Derby porcelain held in 1779. This would have been painted in enamels and was bought for £1 3s. An undecorated version like this one would have been more expensive, as the standard of finish had to be higher. The earlier figures of Britannia were priced at 36 shillings in 1763, and enamelled and gilt versions are priced at £2 2s, £1 11s 6d, and £1 1s in an undated factory list. |
| Collection | |
| Accession number | C.261-1976 |
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| Record created | March 27, 2003 |
| Record URL |
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