This bust depicts Tsar Alexander I of Russia. It was made by one of the Staffordshire potteries in the nineteenth century.
You might wonder why busts of a Russian Tsar would have been made in Staffordshire. I wondered that myself and did a little searching.
Alexander I visited England with other European leaders and dignitaries in 1814. They came to celebrate the defeat and exile of Napoleon Bonaparte. Alexander I was the hero of the day for his victory over Napoleon. He was the number one crowd pleaser at the events surrounding the celebration. These busts of the Russian Tsar were made to capitalize on the popular sentiment of the English people.
Wood and Caldwell made a better version of this bust c.1820. It had superior modelling and enamels. Less refined versions like this one were made in the 1840s or later.
The enamel used for the jacket has faired badly. The mix of white lead to the other ingredients has proven unstable in the melt. Lead has oxidized on the surface, breaking it down in the process. Over time this has given the jacket a dry and dusty surface.
I cleaned and polished the affected area using conservator’s wax. The lead left a dark grey build up on the cloth. Believe me when I tell you it looks a lot and feels a lot better now that the surface is sealed. Safer to handle too.
Press moulded earthenware body.
26 cm in height.
