Modelled Eric Griffiths (1 results)

Numbered and limited issue. This large, limited edition frosted lead-crystal glass bust of Sir Winston S. Churchill was produced to commemorate the 1974 centenary of Winston S. Churchill's birth. It is a substantial piece, 10.5 inches tall and weighing approximately 7 pounds 5 ounces. The bust itself is 8 inches tall, resting on a 2.5 inches high integral plinth of matching lead-crystal glass in a horizontally fluted bell shape. Engraved on the front of the plinth is "WINSTON S. CHURCHILL 1874-1965". Engraved on the left rear of the plinth, in two lines, is "MODELLED | BY" followed by the engraved facsimile signature "Eric Griffiths". Engraved on the right rear of the plinth, in two lines, is "THIS IS MODEL No. 4 | OF A LIMITED EDITION OF 250." The underside of the plinth is engraved "WILLIAM CORBETT LTD. STOURBRIDGE in an oval shape with "ENGLAND" centered within.Condition is near fine. There are two tiny nicks to the glass at the base of the plinth and a tiny imperfection to the upper left of Churchill's forehead (an artifact of the manufacture, rather than any subsequent damage), just forward of his hairline. The epoxy used by the manufacturer to secure the glass bust to the plinth has toned with age, imparting a faint amber hue to the upper plinth and the adjacent base of the bust.The manufacturer, Webb Corbett, is "one of the great names in English lead-crystal glass." It was set up in 1897 by two grandsons of Thomas Webb I, called Herbert Webb and Thomas Webb III, together with George Harry Corbett. They took over the White House Glass Works at Wordsley, near Stourbridge in England, from its previous operators, W, H, B & J Richardson. The original company name was Thomas Webb and Corbett Limited, changed to Webb Corbett Ltd in the 1930's. In 1969 the company was taken over by Royal Doulton Company, and in 1986 they stopped using the Webb Corbett name; from that date onwards the output of the Webb Corbett glassworks was called Royal Doulton Crystal. Eric J. Griffiths, who modelled this bust, became Royal Doulton's Director of Sculpture in 1974, the year this bust was issued.Reference: Smith, Churchill: Images of Greatness, glassencyclopedia dot com.