An exceptionally large and impressive matched pair of figures depicting the Italian revolutionary Giuseppe Garibaldi and the English playwright William Shakespeare, attributed to Sampson Smith.
These figures are among the tallest produced by the Victorian potters.
Each man stands easily, one leg crossed in front of the other, leaning on a tall ornate column. Garibaldi wears a sword on his right hip, and Shakespeare leans his elbow on a pile of books atop the column. The titles of each figure (‘Garibaldi’ and ‘Shakespeare’) are written in gilt cursive script on the bases.
While there may always be some doubt, it is assumed that the two figures form a pair, and that the reason that such disparate historical figures should have been depicted together is that Garibaldi visited Britain in 1864, coinciding with the tricentenary celebration of Shakespeare’s birth.
Both figures present excellently and are in generally good condition. Garibaldi has a lengthy crack running along the line of the press-mould join, but this seems to be relatively stable. Shakespeare has some small, superficial surface chips in places, including the collar, and some discreet firing flaws along the line of the press-mould join. Both figures have a small degree of enamel flaking. Despite the imperfection to Garibaldi, these figures make for a fabulous and very imposing display.
Reference: P. D. Gordon Pugh, Staffordshire Portrait Figures, p. H574, pl. 2, fig. C280; and pl. 3, fig. 3
Height: 19”
Date: c. 1864
An exceptionally large and impressive matched pair of figures depicting the Italian revolutionary Giuseppe Garibaldi and the English playwright William Shakespeare, attributed to Sampson Smith.
These figures are among the tallest produced by the Victorian potters.
Each man stands easily, one leg crossed in front of the other, leaning on a tall ornate column. Garibaldi wears a sword on his right hip, and Shakespeare leans his elbow on a pile of books atop the column. The titles of each figure (‘Garibaldi’ and ‘Shakespeare’) are written in gilt cursive script on the bases.
While there may always be some doubt, it is assumed that the two figures form a pair, and that the reason that such disparate historical figures should have been depicted together is that Garibaldi visited Britain in 1864, coinciding with the tricentenary celebration of Shakespeare’s birth.
Both figures present excellently and are in generally good condition. Garibaldi has a lengthy crack running along the line of the press-mould join, but this seems to be relatively stable. Shakespeare has some small, superficial surface chips in places, including the collar, and some discreet firing flaws along the line of the press-mould join. Both figures have a small degree of enamel flaking. Despite the imperfection to Garibaldi, these figures make for a fabulous and very imposing display.
Reference: P. D. Gordon Pugh, Staffordshire Portrait Figures, p. H574, pl. 2, fig. C280; and pl. 3, fig. 3
Height: 19”
Date: c. 1864
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