SUSAN PARKINSON FOR BRIGLIN POTTERY, RARE COMPLETE SET OF FIVE THEATRICAL FIGURES, CIRCA 1959 comprising Paul Robeson as Othello, model No.6, Sir John Gielgud as Hamlet, No.41, Sir Laurence Olivier as Henry V, No.84, Dame Margot Fonteyn as Ondine, No.74 and Vivien Leigh as Cleopatra, No.25, each figure painted in blue-black, with incised marks and a hand painted description inside each base, all designed and made for Briglin pottery by Susan ParkinsonFor Paul Robeson as Othello figure: Carol Cashmore & Tim Smith-Vincent Susan Parkinson and the Richard Parkinson Pottery, private press, page 72 for a comparable example. It is believed only about 6 of these figures were actually produced, of which model no.6 is offered within this very desirable and highly sought after set.Reference V&A Website: Set of five figures issued by Briglin Pottery, makers of decorative domestic earthenware, in 1959, a year after they decided to revive the Staffordshire tradition of pottery figures of performers. The actor Herbert Lom, the partner of Briglin's founder Brigitte Goldsmith, contacted Sir Laurence Olivier, Vivien Leigh, Sir John Gielgud, Dame Margot Fonteyn, Paul Robeson, Maria Callas and Alec Guinness, who all agreed to feature. Lom wrote a leaflet advertising the proposed edition of 100 figures of seven personalities, which featured quotes from the subjects who all expressed delight at their inclusion. Since Briglin's earthenware proved unsuitable, Lom commissioned Richard Parkinson to design and make the figures at his pottery, using continental-type porcelain, fired at high temperatures and decorated in green and black. The slip-cast figures proved tricky; the moulds had to be made in several pieces and most of them, except Paul Robeson and Vivien Leigh, had to be tall and thin, very different in style to the rest of Parkinson's pottery. After Robeson, the fifth model, the Parkinsons realised their charge of £2 a figure was unrealistic. Since Lom refused to raise the price, the project was terminated and only about six figures of Robeson were made. In 1959, however, the set featured in London's Design Centre where Briglin sold them for 10 guineas each, and 40 guineas a set. The Duke of Edinburgh and Charlton Heston each bought a set. Paul Robeson as Othello, 33.5cm high, Sir Laurence Olivier as Henry V, 31cm high,Vivien Leigh as Cleopatra, 31cm high, Sir John Gielgud as Hamlet, 32.5cm high, Dame Margot Fonteyn as Ondine, 30cm high Qty: 5 As per the vendor, the five figurines of Sir Laurence Olivier, Sir John Gielgud, Dame Margot Fonteyn, Vivien Leigh and Paul Robeson were bought directly from Susan Parkinson in 1959 by their uncle, Norman Melburn, and have remained in the family since. The vendor's uncle was a friend and supporter of the Briglin Pottery founder, Brigitte Goldsmith and her partner, Herbert Lom, who wanted to revive the Staffordshire tradition of making pottery figures of outstanding theatrical personalities of the day. Briglin planned a limited edition of one hundred of seven personalities after being commissioned by Lom. The figures were devised by Richard Parkinson, cast in porcelain, fired at a very high temperature and decorated by Susan Parkinson in green and black. After making the fifth model, the Parkinsons realised that they could not continue and ceased production. Only six of the Paul Robeson figures were produced, resulting in the fact that only six complete sets are possible, of which model No.6 of Paul Robeson is included within the set.
