18th century English creamware bodied pottery colored underglaze figure of Shakespeare’s Ophelia

Ref: 40157 Categories: ,

£1750

Dated: 1775 to 1795 English probably Yorkshire

Ophelia stands with a willow branch around her head and body. The base is applied with a profusion of flowers. The figure is elegantly modeled and decorated in underglaze colors. Donald Towner illustrates an example in his book titled English Cream Coloured Earthenware, indicating that the floral reliefs provide a Leeds Pottery attribution. (Plate ref 55). Ophelia is the heroine in Shakespeare's play Hamlet. She dies in a tragic drowning accident while climbing a willow tree overhanging a brook.  

Dimensions: 13.5 inches high

Current Condition: Professional restoration to crack at base.

Literature: Early English Figure Pottery by Sir Harold Macintosh, Donald Towner English Cream Coloured Earthenware Jonathan Horne Exhibition Catalogue 1988

£1750    $2362

Description

Ophelia stands with a willow branch around her head and body. The base is applied with a profusion of flowers. The figure is elegantly modeled and decorated in underglaze colors. Donald Towner illustrates an example in his book titled English Cream Coloured Earthenware, indicating that the floral reliefs provide a Leeds Pottery attribution. (Plate ref 55).

Ophelia is the heroine in Shakespeare’s play Hamlet. She dies in a tragic drowning accident while climbing a willow tree overhanging a brook.

 

Additional information

Dimensions 13.5 in