Description
An exceptionally fine and rare antique pottery figure model thought to represent King George 111. The figure is modelled standing against the American stripes Flag with a key symbolically placed on the base.
The base of the figure is inscribed with the name Stephan.P in script. Pierre Stephan was a master modeller at the Derby Porcelain works.
Unusually this figure must have been modelled for one of the Staffordshire Pottery workshops in the late 18thc. very few items are known to have been produced from the work of Pierre Stephan in pottery.
EXHIBITION …IF THESE POTS COULD TALK.
Every now and again a figure comes along which has never been seen before and which has never been documented in any of the countless books on ceramics. This military figure is such an example. I have with some reservation attributed the piece as King George 111 but I have had several other opinions expressed, such as Prince William and General George Augustus Eliot of Gibralter fame.
The figure would have been made in the 1785/95 period and was modelled by a master in his field Pierre Stephan.
Stephan modelled several pieces of major naval and military notables which were much admired in this time of the growing importance of Great Britain on the world stage. This figure is of such high quality that it would have been expensive to purchase and could only be afforded and exhibited with pride in the houses of the wealthy. I am hoping to find a definitive attribution to this figure. All part of the mystery of Staffordshire pottery.