Wedgwood Parian Bust of Robert Stephenson by E. W. Wyon

This handsome parian bust is of Robert Stephenson(1803-1859- England),. It is documented on the back shoulders in embossed letters with the name of subject, sculptor, publisher, and date. Stephenson is considered by many to be the greatest civil engineer of the 19th Century. Among his works were bridges and railroads in Britain, Canada and continental Europe, as well as the locomotives that ran on them and other steam engines. Edward William Wyon (1811-1885), the artist who created the piece, studied at the Royal Academy schools beginning in 1829 and soon became a celebrated sculptor. He exhibited at the Royal Academy regularly from 1831 to 1876. Among his commissions were works intended for reproduction by Wedgwood as well as numerous portrait busts. Like this one, many of his subjects were portrayed as garbed in ancient robes and were sculpted younger than their age at the time. Josiah Wedgwood & Sons “published” this bust on March 12, 1858 about a year before Stephenson died. Parian ware is a type of biscuit porcelain imitating marble. It was developed around 1845 and used for statuary and small tableware pieces. This bust is a real treasure and will add interest and distinction to any room, but might be particularly appreciated as a gift to your engineer loved one.