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Bust of Homer
Marked by: Josiah Wedgwood & Thomas Bentley (active 1768–1780)
Made at: Wedgwood Manufactory (Staffordshire, England, active 1759–present)
Modeled by: William Hackwood
Made at: Wedgwood Manufactory (Staffordshire, England, active 1759–present)
Modeled by: William Hackwood
English (Staffordshire)
about 1779
Medium/Technique
Black stoneware (basaltware)
Dimensions
Overall (h x w x d): 48.3 x 29.8 x 29.5 cm (19 x 11 3/4 x 11 5/8 in.) [note: greatest width taken from shoulder to shoulder]
Overall (Diameter of socle): 7.6 cm (3 in.)
Overall (Diameter of socle): 7.6 cm (3 in.)
Credit Line
Gift of Horace Wood Brock
Accession Number2007.1005
CollectionsEurope
DescriptionThis bust was taken from a plaster cast by Hoskins and Grant (formerly Hoskins and Oliver) and "perfected" by William Hackwood. Hoskins and Grant were moulders and casters in plaster to the Royal Academy from 1768. Under the later partnership they supplied moulds of busts to Wedgwood and Bentley from 1774-1779. This example was supplied in 1774. William Hackwood (ca. 1757-1839) was the chief modeller of ornamental work at Etruria. He was employed in 1769 and was responsible for remodelling and adapting busts and bas reliefs bought in London at this period.
Marks
Incised: 'Homer" and "Wedgwood & Bentley" on reverse
ProvenanceLeo Kaplan Ltd., New York. About 2004, acquired on the New York art market by Horace Wood Brock, New York; 2007, gift of Horace Wood Brock to the MFA. (Accession Date: January 23, 2008)