It is not too much to aver that, if it were not known that the Wood model bore the title Hudibras, the source of inspiration would go unknown. Similarly it may not be impossible, since no title appears on the famous Toby Philpot jug, that it may be derived from the character of Uncle Toby in Sterne's "Tristram Shandy," which was published in nine volumes from 1759 to 1767. The type of blunt, jovial, rubicund Englishman was beginning to become as pronounced in Bunbury and other caricaturists as it became later on the china shelf.
Among other noticeable figures of the Ralph Wood period the pair of figures are the Haymakers, separate figures (7½ inches high each, impressed R. Wood), a youth and maiden leaning against tree trunks. A bust of Milton, cream ware, uncoloured, is impressed Ra. Wood, Burslem; height, 9 inches. Old Age is represented by a rustic figure of an old man leaning upon a stick and a crutch. Neptune and Venus and Apollo betray the contemporary classic influence.
In examining the figures of the elder Ralph Wood they will be found in parts, though hardly perceptible, to be unglazed. This is owing to the fact that he applied his glaze with a brush. In the figures of the best period the colouring is extremely delicate, and the flesh tints do not approach the rosy pink associated with other figure work. It is difficult to describe them, but they approximate to a biscuit-coloured grey. But there are the usual exceptions to all rules. In one case in particular the colouring is more pronounced—the bust of Handel, who died in 1759. It is marked "Ra. Wood." It is finely modelled and bright in colouring. A figure of a Cock, marked R. Wood, is illustrated ([p. 351]). It is 8 inches in height. The body is light in colour, with light and dark brown decoration about the neck. The wings are yellow, with brown stripes, the tail brown and dark-blue enamel colours. Legs dark brown and green and splashed base. This specimen is in one piece, not having any joint at neck.
The fine coloured large figure (18 inches in height) of Eloquence, known also as St. Paul preaching at Athens, is by Enoch Wood, after a model by Sir H. Cheere. There is a similar figure in the Schreiber Collection at the Victoria and Albert Museum. But it must be admitted that some of these large figures bear a strong resemblance in technique and modelling to those of Wedgwood. The Bacchus and Ariadne group was most certainly reproduced by Enoch Wood, who signed it. So that the difficulty in such cases of determining which was the original model becomes very great.
The Classic Period (1760–1785).—It appears that Josiah Wedgwood, when under the influence of Whieldon and before he embarked upon his classic ornamentation under the guidance of Bentley, modelled some very fine figures which are unmarked, but exhibit considerable strength and beauty. There are three figures, Faith, Hope, and Charity, in date about 1770, in the Willett Collection marked Wedgwood. Other figures are the large ones of Fortitude and Prudence (height 21 inches). But these symbolistic figures betray the classic influence. They are magnificent pieces of modelling. Then there is the fine group of Bacchus and Ariadne, the same height. The specimen at the British Museum is cream colour, but later imitators adopted the same modelling and added colour to the decoration. A copy of this group so treated, possibly by Enoch Wood, is illustrated ([p. 363]).
Other busts of Wedgwood in coloured cream ware of Voltaire and Rousseau will be found illustrated on [p. 233].
STAFFORDSHIRE EARTHENWARE FIGURE OF FALSTAFF.
Shield decorated in silver lustre. Marked Wood & Caldwell.
(In the collection of Mr. F. W. Philips, Hitchin.)