{"product_id":"john-wesley-porecelain","title":"1830 JOHN WESLEY. Rare Staffordshire Plain Pearlware Bust of the Founder of Methodism.","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003eA highly unusual early example of the classic John Wesley bust produced by Staffordshire. Designed by Enoch Wood of Burslem, England in 1781, the image received glowing approval from the Methodist founder himself and subsequently served as the template for countless commemorative editions across the nineteenth century.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis specific example is unusual in that the majority of the examples from this era were hand-painted in the Staffordshire shops by individual craftsman before receiving their pearlware glaze. The hand-painting was, shall we say, of 'mixed\" effect. The results varied quite dramatically depending on the skill of the finisher. I have seen very fine examples and examples that would pass for juvenilia or a gag gift. The vast majority I would describe as \"passable.\"\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTo my recollection, this is the only unpainted pearlware example I have ever seen. Perhaps it was specifically requested by a client of Roman marble taste, or available only as a limited run. Regardless, examples seem to be exceptionally rare and with a very \"classic\" feel.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSuperbly preserved with light, appropriate craquelure. \u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Specs Fine Books","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":51073987674148,"sku":null,"price":650.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0093\/3910\/9435\/files\/07-17-2026SpecsFineBooks-14.jpg?v=1784386690","url":"https:\/\/specsfinebooks.com\/products\/john-wesley-porecelain","provider":"Specs Fine Books","version":"1.0","type":"link"}