Description
A very scarce early 19th century English porcelain figure of the famous clown Joseph Grimaldi.
Attributed to Derby.
Circa : 1830
Height : 5⅛” (13cm)
Condition: Good, just minor restoration to fingers & the note in his right hand.
Stock ref : 16357/njx-
SOLD
Joseph Grimaldi (18 December 1778 – 31 May 1837) was an English actor, comedian and dancer, who became the most popular English entertainer of the Regency period. In the early 1800s, he expanded the role of Clown in the harlequinade that formed part of British pantomimes, notably at the Theatre Royal, Drury Lane and the Sadler’s Wells and Covent Garden theatres. He became so dominant on the London comic stage that the harlequinade role of Clown became known as “Joey”, and both the nickname and Grimaldi’s whiteface make-up design were, and still are, used by other types of clowns. Grimaldi originated catchphrases such as “Here we are again!”, which continue to feature in modern pantomimes. (Wikipedia)