Title
A white Parian sculpture of a mother and baby
Date
c. 1854
Description
A white Parian sculpture of a mother and baby (English, c. 1854) made by Minton after a model by Albert-Ernest Carrier-Belleuse (French, 1824-1887). The sculpture depicts a kneeling woman in a loose draped classical gown leaning over and tucking in a baby sleeping in a straw bassinet. The figures are raised on an oval base which is inscribed “A. Carrier.” The underside is incised with Minton’s ermine mark and “No. 324.” Parian ware is a type of biscuit porcelain which was made to imitate the fine-textured marble from the Greek island of Paros. Works produced in Parian ware were much more affordable than works in stone or bronze.
In 1850 the French Carrier-Belleuse emigrated to Stoke-on-Trent to work for the Minton factory. He modeled 40 figures for Minton’s Parian ware. Carrier-Belleuse later returned to Europe, where he was one of the founding members of the Société National des Beaux-Arts, worked with Auguste Rodin, and was appointed Director of Works of Art at the Sèvres factory. The Berwinds (the owners of The Elms) and the Wetmores (the owners of Chateau-sur-Mer), were collectors of works by Carrier-Belleuse, subsequently dispersed at auction.
In 1850 the French Carrier-Belleuse emigrated to Stoke-on-Trent to work for the Minton factory. He modeled 40 figures for Minton’s Parian ware. Carrier-Belleuse later returned to Europe, where he was one of the founding members of the Société National des Beaux-Arts, worked with Auguste Rodin, and was appointed Director of Works of Art at the Sèvres factory. The Berwinds (the owners of The Elms) and the Wetmores (the owners of Chateau-sur-Mer), were collectors of works by Carrier-Belleuse, subsequently dispersed at auction.
Cultural Origin
English
Medium
Parian porcelain
Extent
12" x 12" x 7"
Collection
Source
Gift of Mr. & Mrs. Richard Webb, 2006.
Identifier
PSNC.11489
For more information about this item, please contact its owning institution.