Rare Pair of Ralph Wood Staffordshire Medici Lions in Pink and Blue Bases

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Rare Pair of Ralph Wood Staffordshire Medici Lions in Pink and Blue Bases, Attributed to Ralph Wood, Staffordshire, England, circa … Read more Rare Pair of Ralph Wood Staffordshire Medici Lions in Pink and Blue Bases, Attributed to Ralph Wood, Staffordshire, England, circa 1780

A rare and highly distinctive pair of Staffordshire Medici lions, attributed to Ralph Wood (1748–1795), one of the earliest and most influential figures in 18th-century English earthenware. Each lion is modeled standing with a forepaw resting on a pink orb, a form directly inspired by the Medici lions of Florence—a popular neoclassical motif adapted throughout European ceramic traditions.

The figures are executed in lead-glazed earthenware with rich manganese, ochre, and sienna tones, highlighted by a glossy surface and boldly expressive modeling. Notably, the lions rest on plinths in unusually vivid palettes—one in lavender-pink, the other in cobalt blue—an extremely uncommon color pairing in known Ralph Wood examples, suggesting a possible commission or special production run.

The lions exhibit classic Ralph Wood traits, including the robust, muscular modeling, sharply defined manes, and characteristic facial expressions with bulging eyes and parted mouths revealing teeth and tongue. The marbled effect on the base tops, along with the overall glaze quality and scale, further supports the attribution to Wood’s Burslem workshop.

Dimensions:
Pink base lion: 13.75" W × 6.5" D × 9" H
Blue base lion: 14.5" W × 6.5" D × 9" H

Minor losses and glaze/surface wear, consistent with age and use. Structurally sound and visually arresting, these lions form a powerful and exceedingly rare decorative pairing—ideal for collectors of early English ceramics or neoclassical decorative arts. See less