“Stop and look at this striking bust of Lord Lyndhurst. Its unglazed porcelain surface makes it feel like ancient marble, giving a classical dignity to this powerful British politician.”
This unglazed porcelain bust captures Lord Lyndhurst, a prominent British lawyer and politician, with a solemn and dignified expression. Created in 1824, the sculpture's stark white surface and matte finish emphasize the classical ideal of portraiture, a popular aesthetic during the early 19th century. Lord Lyndhurst is depicted in formal attire, likely a judicial robe, its folds and textures rendered with remarkable precision despite the material's inherent smoothness. The choice of unglazed porcelain, often called Parian ware, was a deliberate one, mimicking the appearance of ancient marble sculptures while being more affordable and easier to mass-produce. This piece reflects a broader trend in the decorative arts of the period, where Neoclassical tastes influenced everything from grand architecture to intimate household objects. It offers a tangible connection to the political and artistic sensibilities of Regency-era Britain.
- Artist
- Samuel Alcock & Company
- Date
- 1824
- Medium
- Unglazed porcelain (Parian ware)
- Location
- The Metropolitan Museum of Art
- Dimensions
- Height: 14 1/4 in. (36.2 cm)
- Collection
- European Sculpture and Decorative Arts
- Culture
- British, Staffordshire
- Credit line
- Rogers Fund, 1915
What to Notice
Five details hide in plain sight. Here’s where to look.

The subtle, almost milky texture of the unglazed porcelain.
The intricate folds and drapes of Lord Lyndhurst's formal attire.
His stern, focused gaze and tightly set lips.
The finely sculpted curls of his hair, framing his face.
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Samuel Alcock & Company
Samuel Alcock & Company, a prominent British business, was renowned for its intricate ceramic designs, particularly elegant cups and tureens, in the mid-19th century.
Further Works by Company
An Elegant Company
1632 · Art Institute of Chicago
Mr. James Mackie
1830 · Art Institute of Chicago
Old Tower at Avignon
1875 · Art Institute of Chicago
Lettered title: Christy
1845 · The Metropolitan Museum of Art
The Early Ploughman
1856 · Art Institute of Chicago
Designs for Tureens and a Platter
1845 · The Metropolitan Museum of Art
Designs for Two Tureens and a Plate
1845 · The Metropolitan Museum of Art
Nine Designs for Decorated Plates
1845 · The Metropolitan Museum of Art
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