A very rare and interesting little figure of good quality depicting Charles William Lambton, based on a painting by Sir Thomas Lawrence PRA in 1825 known as ‘The Red Boy’ (Master Lambton wears a full red suit in the painting though is only found wearing underglaze cobalt blue in figure form).
Master Lambton was the elder son of John Lambton (later Earl of Durham) and the favourite grandchild of the 2nd Early Grey. Lambton died from tuberculosis in 1831 at the age of only thirteen but he is immortalised in the iconic Sir Thomas Lawrence painting.
The history of the figure itself is rather hazy, in part due to its scarcity. Pugh records the figure as appearing in two sizes - the 4 1/4” version is photographed in Staffordshire Portrait Figures and he reserves a reference number for the 5 1/8” version which he describes as made as an inkwell. However, this version is 5 1/8” and is - but for its scale - identical to the smaller version and not made as an inkwell. We must assume, therefore, that an inkwell version exists. Furthermore, an adapted version of the smaller size is recorded by the Hardings (and, at the time of listing, will soon be made available from this website) but although the form is a copy of ‘The Red Boy’, a dog and barrel have been added so the figure does not represent Master Lambton. The same potter has made a similar figure with a girl - the figures share the style and texture of the rocky base and are the same size. I have providence documents indicating they were sold as a pair, though there is no evidence that they belong together but for their stylistic similarity. Regardless, they make a lovely couple and I am happy to offer both figures together if requests (and if both are available).
The figure is in excellent original condition with no apparent damage or restoration. There are some small firing flaws in rock crevices and some discolouration to the bottom of the base and elsewhere to the glaze, probably a manufacturing quirk. This very rare figure is a fascinating piece of history
Reference: P. D. Gordon Pugh, Staffordshire Portrait Figures, p. I612, pl. 17, fig. 35(a)
Height: 5”
Date: c. 1840s
Provenance: A substantial, high-quality private collection, name unknown
A very rare and interesting little figure of good quality depicting Charles William Lambton, based on a painting by Sir Thomas Lawrence PRA in 1825 known as ‘The Red Boy’ (Master Lambton wears a full red suit in the painting though is only found wearing underglaze cobalt blue in figure form).
Master Lambton was the elder son of John Lambton (later Earl of Durham) and the favourite grandchild of the 2nd Early Grey. Lambton died from tuberculosis in 1831 at the age of only thirteen but he is immortalised in the iconic Sir Thomas Lawrence painting.
The history of the figure itself is rather hazy, in part due to its scarcity. Pugh records the figure as appearing in two sizes - the 4 1/4” version is photographed in Staffordshire Portrait Figures and he reserves a reference number for the 5 1/8” version which he describes as made as an inkwell. However, this version is 5 1/8” and is - but for its scale - identical to the smaller version and not made as an inkwell. We must assume, therefore, that an inkwell version exists. Furthermore, an adapted version of the smaller size is recorded by the Hardings (and, at the time of listing, will soon be made available from this website) but although the form is a copy of ‘The Red Boy’, a dog and barrel have been added so the figure does not represent Master Lambton. The same potter has made a similar figure with a girl - the figures share the style and texture of the rocky base and are the same size. I have providence documents indicating they were sold as a pair, though there is no evidence that they belong together but for their stylistic similarity. Regardless, they make a lovely couple and I am happy to offer both figures together if requests (and if both are available).
The figure is in excellent original condition with no apparent damage or restoration. There are some small firing flaws in rock crevices and some discolouration to the bottom of the base and elsewhere to the glaze, probably a manufacturing quirk. This very rare figure is a fascinating piece of history
Reference: P. D. Gordon Pugh, Staffordshire Portrait Figures, p. I612, pl. 17, fig. 35(a)
Height: 5”
Date: c. 1840s
Provenance: A substantial, high-quality private collection, name unknown
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