St. George and the Dragon 1745 - 1755

This is a Whieldon-type earthenware figure of "Saint George and the Dragon." The production of Whieldon-type ware emerged in 18th-century England, during a period of burgeoning industrialization and expanding global trade. Staffordshire potter Thomas Whieldon produced utilitarian items and ornamental objects such as this one. This piece vividly reflects the socio-cultural currents of its time, where the legendary St. George, a symbol of Christian valor, was celebrated in British iconography. Yet, in this iteration, St. George is seen not as a knight in shining armor but in an unexpected blue tunic. He sits astride a horse rendered in mottled brown, challenging conventional representations and inviting us to reconsider traditional narratives of heroism and identity. The dragon, writhing beneath the horse, evokes a sense of struggle between good and evil, echoing the moral and spiritual concerns of the era. Ultimately, this piece challenges the dominant, often simplified, narratives of its historical context.