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Find your local specialistAn important Worcester (Flight, Barr and Barr) medallion by Thomas Baxter
the biscuit porcelain medal finely modelled with a profile portrait, titled 'Admiral Lord Nelson', framed in gold and deep underglaze blue, the outer frame finely 'jewelled' with a linked chain of pearls and other coloured jewels, the edge banded in gold and bronze, 8.2cm diam, script mark Flight Barr & Barr, Royal Porcelain Works, Worcester- London House 1 Coventry Street (minor wear to border only)
Footnotes
Thomas Baxter (1782-1821) moved from London to Worcester in 1814, joining the firm of Flight, Barr and Barr as an all-round 'decorator'. As well as the fine painting for which he is famous, Baxter was also an accomplished modeller and gilder. It is likely that the jewelling on this medallion is also his work. While working as a china painter in London, Thomas Baxter had painted a set of vases with subjects of Emma Hamilton, and these are believed to have been presented to Nelson. This led to an invitation for Baxter to visit Nelson's home at Merton on a number of occasions between 1802-1804. Many of his sketches survive, including portraits of Emma and her daughter Horatia. Portraits of Emma Hamilton and Nelson were painted by Thomas Baxter on porcelain, and he modelled a number of detailed portrait medallions. Four subjects are known- a self portrait of Thomas Baxter and of his father, Nelson and Wellington. A medallion of Nelson, now in the Museum of Worcester Porcelain, is signed on the reverse 'TB 1805'. It was clearly cast ten years later, however. Only one other pair of medallions of Nelson and Wellington are recorded, in the Museum at Southend-on-Sea. These are identical to the present two lots with the additional raised letter titles. See John Sandon, Dictionary of Worcester Porcelain, p. 63
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