Ralph Wood, Jr.
Bust of George Washington

Public Domain

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Maker Ralph Wood, Jr.English, 1748–1795

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

On view

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Department

Bayou Bend

Object Type

CERAMICS

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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