A magnificent early bust of Neptune, Roman god of the sea - very striking and impressive, but offered as found with flaws.
While late 18th century Neptune busts were made by Ralph Wood and his contemporaries, other Staffordshire potters started producing this incarnation of Neptune in the early 1800s. Examples with numerous design variations are recorded - including stunning lustred examples - but the potter who produced this bust has settled for a more neutral, ‘natural’ colour palette - a simple green for the ‘fish scarf’, white and gilt for the headdress, and black for the plinth.
This bust makes for a superb display but it is offered for sale as found with faults. The neck has been repaired (but not invisibly) where the head has been off. The break is behind the beard which helps to obscure it when it is on display. A large chip in the base has been restored. There is a small chip to Neptune’s left clavicle. There is fairly extensive flaking to the green fish and black plinth, and evidence of over-spraying in various places. It must, therefore, be noted that the bust has been ‘touched up’ aesthetically, and that some damage has been repaired. Despite these flaws, it remains an impressive figure which makes for an impactful and attention-drawing display.
An old dealer’s sticker and a record of restoration are left on the underside of the plinth for provenance.
Please examine the images closely for a sense of the repairs and ‘touch-ups’ mentioned.
Reference: Myrna Schkolne, Staffordshire Figures 1870 - 1840: Volume IV, p. 246
Height: 13.75”
Date: c. 1820
Provenance: The Collection of the late John Parrott; former stock of Graylings Antiques
A magnificent early bust of Neptune, Roman god of the sea - very striking and impressive, but offered as found with flaws.
While late 18th century Neptune busts were made by Ralph Wood and his contemporaries, other Staffordshire potters started producing this incarnation of Neptune in the early 1800s. Examples with numerous design variations are recorded - including stunning lustred examples - but the potter who produced this bust has settled for a more neutral, ‘natural’ colour palette - a simple green for the ‘fish scarf’, white and gilt for the headdress, and black for the plinth.
This bust makes for a superb display but it is offered for sale as found with faults. The neck has been repaired (but not invisibly) where the head has been off. The break is behind the beard which helps to obscure it when it is on display. A large chip in the base has been restored. There is a small chip to Neptune’s left clavicle. There is fairly extensive flaking to the green fish and black plinth, and evidence of over-spraying in various places. It must, therefore, be noted that the bust has been ‘touched up’ aesthetically, and that some damage has been repaired. Despite these flaws, it remains an impressive figure which makes for an impactful and attention-drawing display.
An old dealer’s sticker and a record of restoration are left on the underside of the plinth for provenance.
Please examine the images closely for a sense of the repairs and ‘touch-ups’ mentioned.
Reference: Myrna Schkolne, Staffordshire Figures 1870 - 1840: Volume IV, p. 246
Height: 13.75”
Date: c. 1820
Provenance: The Collection of the late John Parrott; former stock of Graylings Antiques
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