The Wedgwood Museum

Although George Stubbs was best known for his equestrian subjects, he was also an accomplished modeller of bas reliefs. In 1780 he modelled, from his own engraving of ‘The Lion and the Horse’ this masterly relief scene that has become known as ‘The Frightened Horse’. Although Josiah was not too pleased at the actual subject matter of a horse being stalked by a lion, he was greatly surprised at the mastery of the subject as produced by Stubbs, and his quick adaptation to the use of potters’ tools.On 1st August 1780 clay tablets had been prepared for Stubbs to produce his initial model on, and by the 13th the subject of the ‘Frightened Horse’ had been chosen. Wedgwood wrote on that day – ‘…he [Stubbs] is now laying in the horse whilst I am writing a few letters this good Sunday morning.’ By the 21st Stubbs had completed the model, and Josiah was writing to Thomas Bentley promising a copy – ‘…very soon either in blue & white [jasper], or to save time in one colour.’ The ‘one colour’ referred to was black basalt.The subject has proved to be enduringly popular and has appeared at regular intervals since the eighteenth century. This black basalt version dates to 1952.

• Type of object: Plaques and medallions/plaque
• Mark: WedgwoodTHE FRIGHTENED HORSE BY GEORGE STUBBS[Incised]
• Year first produced: 1780
• Body: Black basalt
• Material: Ceramic
• Decoration: Moulded
• Accession number: 5561
• Dimensions: 220mm (height), 375mm (width), 25mm (depth)