A handmade Bairstow Manor (Staffordshire, U.K.) glazed figure modeled as a cartoon depiction of Winston Churchill dressed as British naval hero Admiral Lord Horatio Nelson. This hand-made and hand-painted figure was issued in a limited edition of only 250, of which this is number 11. It was based on a famous early 20th century political cartoon in Punch magazine by artist David Wilson (1873-1935), which depicted Churchill, who was then serving as First Lord of the Admiralty, a British cabinet position similar to a modern Secretary of the Navy, in the costume and physical appearance of Lord Nelson.
Churchill served as First Lord from 1911 to 1915, during the Prime Ministry of Herbert Henry Asquith. Horatio Nelson (1758–1805) was a 19th century British admiral noted for his inspirational leadership, personal valor, superb grasp of strategy, and unconventional tactics, which resulted in decisive British naval victories during the Napoleonic Wars. Nelson was wounded several times in combat, losing the sight in one eye and most of his right arm. He was shot and killed while achieving his final victory at the Battle of Trafalgar in 1805. Nelson’s death secured his position as one of Britain’s most heroic figures. The significance of the victory and his death led to his order, “England expects that every man will do his duty,” being regularly quoted, paraphrased and referenced to the modern day. Churchill is modeled standing on multicolored cobblestones next to a stone wall, wearing Nelson’s early 19th century Royal Navy admiral’s uniform, with Nelson’s armless right sleeve pinned to his coat, a spyglass under his left arm, and a costume eyepatch resting on his forehead.
This historic figurine includes cartoonist David Wilson’s tribute to Churchill: “As he would wish to be seen. A vigilant defender of Britain and its Empire, in the tradition of Horatio Nelson.”
Marked BAIRSTOW MANOR COLLECTABLES LIMITED EDITION OF 250 ONLY WORLDWIDE THIS IS NO. 11. MADE IN STOKE-ON-TRENT STAFFORDSHIRE.