Antique Staffordshire Bust Of William Shakespeare, C.1800

Early 19th-century Staffordshire bust of William Shakespeare, modeled in glazed earthenware and painted in a typical Regency palette. The figure wears a yellow waistcoat with gilded buttons and a plum cloak, and is mounted on a marbleized socle base with uniform surface craquelure.                                                                                                                                                           The bust follows the features of the renowned Chandos portrait, the most widely accepted likeness of Shakespeare, attributed to John Taylor and believed to have been painted from life around 1610. This iconic image became a model for ceramic and sculptural representations of the playwright throughout the Georgian and Victorian periods.                                                          This piece dates to around 1800 — one of the earliest recorded productions of ceramic busts in this form. Its rarity lies in the fact that later versions, particularly between 1850 and 1890, were made in large numbers by various manufacturers. Early versions such as this are seldom encountered.                                                                                                                                                        Comparable examples are held in UK regional museum collections and sometimes surface on the market, though increasingly rare in early editions.                                                                                               This is a collectible example of early English portraiture in ceramic form, with both decorative appeal and strong historical interest. Condition: minor enamel chip on the lower right of the cloak, small chip to the underside of the base, stable glaze crackling throughout, and general surface wear consistent with age. Structurally sound and visually strong. Dimensions: height 22.5 cm, width 17 cm, depth 8.5 cm. Weight: 770 grams. Please study the accompanying photographs carefully as they form an integral part of this description. If you have any questions, we will be happy to answer them. The item will be shipped with full tracking and insurance.