Figs. 757 and 758.—Bristol Bisque Plaques.
Another notable and beautiful feature of the Bristol works was the production of plaques, bouquets of flowers, wreaths, and armorial bearings, in biscuit. Of these examples are given in Figs. [755 to 758]. One of these (Fig. [757]), lately in the possession of Mr. Baller, but now of Mr. Nightingale, bears the arms and crest of the Eltons (who were connected with Bristol for the last two centuries as bankers, members of parliament, and mayors, and of which the present representative is Sir Arthur Hallam Elton, Bart.) impaling Tierney. The arms are paly of six, or and gules, on a bend sable, three mullets of the first, for Elton; impaling azure, between two lions combatant a sword argent, for Tierney. The shield is surrounded by a wreath of exquisitely and delicately modelled leaves and flowers. The plaque is oval, 5¼ inches in height by 4¼ inches in breadth. Another heraldic plaque is in the possession of Miss Smith, of Bristol. It is of about the same size as the one just described, and bears the arms of Smith, with escutcheon of Pope, as described as appearing on the tea-service engraved (Fig. [749]). It is surrounded with a wreath of raised flowers of surpassing beauty.
This interesting and valuable piece was some years ago stolen from the late Mr. Smith, but, after about thirty years, was purchased by its former owner at a sale along with some other examples of Bristol make. In the possession of the late Mr. Edwin James, of Bristol, and in other hands, are circular and oval plaques with wreaths or bouquets of raised flowers, modelled in the same delicate and masterly manner, and undoubtedly by the same artist. Another (Fig. [755]), in Mr. Fry’s collection, has the arms of France beautifully surrounded by a crowned wreath of elaborately modelled flowers—the crown, wreath, and border of which are of dead and burnished gold. Fig. [756], also in Mr. Fry’s possession, is an exquisite heraldic plaque, having the arms of Harford impaling Lloyd, surrounded by a finely modelled wreath of flowers. In the Edkins collection was also a plaque with a delicate border of flowers enclosing a medallion profile of Franklin; and another, a simple group of flowers, and other examples, belong to Mr. Owen, Mr. Rawlins, Mr. Gwyn, and others. In her Majesty’s possession are two remarkably fine examples with medallion profiles of George III. and Queen Charlotte, presented to that queen by Champion himself in 1775, together with a pair of smaller flower plaques of exquisite finish and delicacy.
Figures were, to some extent, as is shown by the advertisements already quoted, made at Bristol, and in Mr. James’s possession were a pair—a man with a bird, and a woman with a barrel and a pig—bearing an incised cross on the bottom. Other figures are in the possession of Mr. Fry, Mr. Edkins, Lady Charlotte Schreiber, Mr. Castle, and others. (See Figs. [759 to 770]).
Mr. Owen gives in his admirable work a fac-simile of a letter, in Champion’s own handwriting, addressed to the same modeller (whose name unfortunately does not appear) who produced the “Four Elements” for the Derby works, ordering from him a set of the same subjects, and also the “Four Seasons,” treated in a way which he fully describes. The letter is so interesting, and bears so strongly on the point of figure producing at Bristol, that I here reprint it.
27 Feb. 1772.
“To
“Mr. Brillait shew’d me your Letter of ye 18 Ins, which I chose to answer myself as a few thoughts had struck me which pleas’d me, & which will with your Execution have a very good Effect.
“As I have an Inclination to fancys of this kind, I chose to write you as wish to have some elegant Designs. I have seen the four Elements which are made at Derby they are very Beautifull the dress easy, the forms fine, two in particular Air and Water are the charming figures. I apprehend that you made ye models & therefore hope that from your Execution the following fancies will not look amiss.
“The Elements