Sculpture of the Day: The Mansion House Dwarf, 1750-52

The Victoria & Albert Museum

This figure in porcelain is painted with enamels and has always been identified as a male “dwarf” [from Schreiber Register], notably called “The Mansion House Dwarf.” Now, in the Eighteenth Century, throughout Europe, wealthy households often “employed” little people as amusing curiosities and companions. So, this attribution is a logical and natural one.

However, later study of this important piece of porcelain reveals that it may not, in fact, depict a beloved household companion, but rather, our Mr. Punch.

Made in England between 1750 and 1752 at the Chelsea Porcealain Factory, the figure is marked with an anchor in relief. The figure Punch wears a high conical hat with feathers to one side, a tunic with slashed yellow sleeves and big black buttons. Around his waist, a pink fringed belt hangs and he carries a sword at his right side. So is this a courtier dwarf or Mr. Punch?

Further study shows us that the figure was modeled after an engraving by Jacques Callot in a series published in 1622 under the title “Varie figure Gobbi.” Depicted there are a series of grotesques owing more to the Commedia dell’Arte than to representations of actual living humans.

Let’s look at this wise-faced fellow. His facial features are not exaggerated with the hooked nose and chin of our Punch. They are distinctively human. Yet, his distended stomach and hunched back suggest that the subject is, at least, in the guise of Pulcinella. It is not inconceivable that a household would have commanded that an indentured performer reenact popular pantomime figures. So, we’ll have to meet somewhere in the middle.