Description
Early 19th century Derby porcelain figure of the comedy actor John Liston as Van Dunder.
Circa : 1825
Height : 5½” (14cm)
Condition : Restoration to part of scroll, ankle cracks and some flaking, firing discolouration to edges of base.
Stock ref : 16152/ rxx+ynx-
SOLD
*John Liston was one of London’s leading comic actors during the Regency period and the first comedian to command a salary greater than that of a tragedian. An early specialist in Cockney parts, he first found fame playing the buffoon in a double-act with Charles Mathews, Snub-nosed, red-cheeked and enormously broad-bottomed, Liston had only to appear on stage to set the audience laughing. He shrewdly chose costumes to accentuate his comic appearance and specialised in physical gags and easy humour. His most famous role, Paul Pry, in John Poole’s comedy of that name, set the standard for every later performer of the part.