Ralph Wood, Jr.
Bust of George Washington

CultureEnglish
Titles
  • Bust of George Washington
Datec. 1782–1795
Made inBurslem, England
MediumLead-glazed earthenware (pearlware) with overglaze enamel
Dimensions10 × 6 × 4 1/2 in. (25.4 × 15.2 × 11.4 cm)
Credit LineThe Bayou Bend Collection, museum purchase funded by family and friends in memory of Harold Richardson "Dick" Borus
Object numberB.2013.26
Current Location
Bayou Bend Collection and Gardens
Federal Parlor
Exposé

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Department
Bayou Bend
Object Type
DescriptionRalph Wood, Jr. modeled this bust of George Washington for the American market. By 1782, he established himself as a master potter in Burslem in the heart of the Staffordshire potteries and potted independently until his death in 1795. He made both enamel-painted and color-glazed figures. Many of his figures stand on distinctive square bases and are usually impressed with his maker’s mark. The pottery made a broad range of busts, including Geoffrey Chaucer, John Milton, Isaac Newton, Alexander Pope, and George Frideric Handel (B.69.70).
ProvenanceEngland; [Rex Stark, Gardner, Massachusetts]; purchased by MFAH, 2013.
Inscriptions, Signatures and Marks
Impressed on underside: R Wood / Burslem
Impressed on back: WASHINGTON

Cataloguing data may change with further research.

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