Sculpture of the Day: A Derby Porcelain Figural Group, 1820

The Victoria & Albert Museum

This figure of a youth with a canine companion is typical of the work of Derby porcelain. This fine porcelain is painted with enamels and gilded and depicts a young man as he sits on a green mound. His dog, seated on its hind quarters is begging for a morsel of bread which the young man holds above its head.

Change the clothes and it’s a scene you could see anywhere today.