Nelson Family Provenance: An important white stoneware figure of Nelson,...

Nelson Family Provenance: An important white stoneware figure of Nelson, circa 1800
Modelled by Pierre Stephan, standing in full military dress and gazing to his left, a speaking trumpet in his hand, 'Nelson' inscribed on the cannon by a Union Jack and fouled anchor, the mound base incised 'Stephan. F', raised on a black basalt plinth, 29.5cm high
Provenance
Reverend William Nelson, Trafalgar House, Wiltshire
Thence by descent
Sotheby's, 5 October 2005, lot 86
Sotheby's, 17 January 2018, lot 94

This would appear to be the only recorded example of this figure, and therefore is a unique lifetime sculpture of Nelson by one of the finest ceramic sculptors of his day.

Pierre Stephan created a series of portraits of prominent figures, including King George III and the models of Admirals Hood and Rodney in black basalt, see lots 2 and 3 in this sale.

Stephan probably worked as a freelance modeller, creating moulds for figures that were fired under licence in ceramic factory kilns including Derby and Wedgwood. His moulds were also used by Staffordshire figure makers to cast enamelled versions. Without glaze, the quality of Stephan's modelling is clear to see, the incised finishing on this figure lending incredible detail to the press-moulded form. Even the tiny figure of Britannia is visible on the naval medal hung around Nelson's neck.