A black basalt figure of Admiral Lord Rodney, circa 1785-90

A black basalt figure of Admiral Lord Rodney, circa 1785-90
Modelled by Pierre Stephan, the admiral in full military garb, standing before a cannon inscribed 'Ld Rodney', a flag, telescope and anchor adorning the rocky base, incised 'Stephan. f', 30cm high
The present lot and a related figure of Hood, lot 3 in this sale, are both illustrated by Hilary Young, The Birth of the Ceramic Designer, British Ceramic Design (2003), p.23. A similar example from the Leo Kaplan Collection was sold by Bonhams on 11 July 2018, lot 271. An enamelled pearlware version of the model was also sold by Bonhams, 12 November 2014, lot 62.

In May 1774, Stephan wrote to Wedgwood seeking employment but there is no evidence that he obtained work at the factory. He did, however, supply them with moulds later that year. For a full discussion of this figure, see Robin Reilly, Wedgwood, Vol.1, pp.469-71.