Bullbaiting 1765 - 1785

Ralph Wood the Younger crafted this earthenware figure titled ‘Bullbaiting’ sometime before 1795. The sculpture provides a window into the brutal pastimes of 18th-century England. Bullbaiting, a blood sport where dogs were set upon a tethered bull, was a popular, albeit gruesome, spectacle across social classes. Wood's choice to immortalize this event in a domestic object speaks volumes about the normalization of violence and the complex relationship between humans and animals during this period. Consider the contrasting representations: the bull, a symbol of strength, rendered vulnerable; the dogs, embodying aggression; and the human spectators, absent yet complicit. ‘Bullbaiting’ therefore offers a glimpse into the cultural values and social hierarchies of the Georgian era. It allows us to reflect on our evolving attitudes towards animal welfare and the ethics of entertainment. The sculpture acts as a poignant reminder of the past and prompts us to question the legacies we carry forward.