Juno
style of Bow Porcelain Factory (fl.c. 1748-1774)
Category
Ceramics
Date
c. 1765
Materials
Soft paste porcelain
Measurements
253 x 125 mm
Place of origin
Stratford-le-Bow
Order this imageCollection
Saltram, Devon
NT 870894
Summary
Figure of Juno - an ancient Roman goddess - emblematic of the element air. Moulded and modelled in soft paste porcelain at the Bow porcelain factory. Juno stands on a high, open, rococo base and pulls her cloak up over her head. At her feet is an eagle representing Jupiter. Decorated in polychrome enamel in blue, yellow and pink with gilding. Round label underneath: number 307
Full description
The Bow porcelain factory was, alongside Chelsea, the first soft paste porcelain factory to be established in England. Initially founded at a site in Bow, it later moved to ‘New Canton’ east of the River Lea, then in Essex. The factory produced a porcelain that originally incorporated bone ash – a precursor to bone china. By the late 1750s, it employed around 300 workers and produced a substantial output of useful and decorative wares. Despite its size and popularity in the 1750s, the Bow factory suffered financial setbacks and was purchased by William Duesbury in 1776, owner of the Derby factory, who closed the Bow production and sent many of the moulds and tools to Derby. This figure is from a set of Four Elements as Roman Gods and Goddesses. As well as this figure of Juno as 'Air, the set included Ceres as Earth, Vulcan as Fire and Neptune as water. This piece appears in the 1897 inventory of Lady Harriet Sophie Parker (1809-1907)'s belongings at Whiteway house, Devon displayed in the sitting room.
Provenance
At Saltram by 1957 and given to NT by Montagu Brownlow Parker (1878-1962), 5th Earl of Morley as part of the Endowment
Makers and roles
style of Bow Porcelain Factory (fl.c. 1748-1774), pottery manufacturer