{"meta":{"version":"2.1","_links":{"self":{"href":"https://api.vam.ac.uk/v2/object/O109788"},"collection_page":{"href":"https://collections.vam.ac.uk/item/O109788/"}},"images":{"_primary_thumbnail":"https://framemark.vam.ac.uk/collections/2006AB9030/full/!100,100/0/default.jpg","_iiif_image":"https://framemark.vam.ac.uk/collections/2006AB9030/","_alt_iiif_image":[],"imageResolution":"high","_images_meta":[{"assetRef":"2006AB9030","copyright":"© Victoria and Albert Museum, London","sensitiveImage":false}]},"see_also":{"_iiif_pres":"https://iiif.vam.ac.uk/collections/O109788/manifest.json","_alt_iiif_pres":[]}},"record":{"systemNumber":"O109788","accessionNumber":"S.2061-1986","objectType":"Figurine","titles":[{"title":"John Liston as Van Dunder","type":"generic title"}],"summaryDescription":"This is John Liston (1776-1846), the highest-paid comic actor on the English stage in his day, as Van Dunder in John Poole's comedy <i>'Twould Puzzle a Conjurer</i>, first produced at London's Haymarket Theatre on 11 September 1824.  It is based on a print published by Hodgson in 1826 which shows Liston as nine of his best-known characters.  Pottery figures of seven of the characters are known to exist.\r\n\r\nDespite a rather serious temperament, Liston achieved his greatest successes in farce, and particularly as Paul Pry, a role in which he was often depicted in paintings, drawings and figurines. Liston was the first comic actor to command a salary greater than a tragedian, earning the vast salary of £60-£100 a week with Madame Vestris's company at the Olympic Theatre.  He retired in 1837 after a career of over 30 years.","physicalDescription":"Polychromed ceramic figure of the actor John Liston as Van Dunder in John Poole's play <i>'Twould Puzzle a Conjuror</i>, wearing baggy Dutch bloomers and large-buckled shoes, standing on a square green base edged with a gilt line, in front of a pillar, holding a scroll.","artistMakerPerson":[],"artistMakerOrganisations":[{"name":{"text":"Robert Bloor & Co.","id":"A14215"},"association":{"text":"makers","id":"AAT251917"},"note":""}],"artistMakerPeople":[],"materials":[{"text":"ceramic","id":"AAT235507"},{"text":"glaze","id":"AAT15091"}],"techniques":[{"text":"moulding","id":"x46876"},{"text":"firing (heating)","id":"AAT53887"},{"text":"painting","id":"x30598"},{"text":"glazing (coating)","id":"AAT53914"}],"materialsAndTechniques":"Polychromed ceramic","categories":[{"text":"Figures & Decorative ceramics","id":"THES48954"},{"text":"Entertainment & Leisure","id":"THES48959"},{"text":"Ceramics","id":"THES48982"}],"styles":[],"collectionCode":{"text":"T&P","id":"THES48602"},"images":["2006AB9030"],"imageResolution":"high","galleryLocations":[{"current":{"text":"004","id":"THES355419"},"free":"","case":"","shelf":"","box":""}],"partTypes":[[{"text":"figurines","id":"AAT47455"}]],"contentWarnings":[{"apprise":"","note":""}],"placesOfOrigin":[{"place":{"text":"Derby","id":"x31922"},"association":{"text":"made","id":"x28654"},"note":""}],"productionDates":[{"date":{"text":"ca.1830","earliest":"1825-01-01","latest":"1834-12-31"},"association":{"text":"made","id":"x28654"},"note":""}],"associatedObjects":[{"object":{"text":"S.997-1996","id":"O120087"},"association":"Object"},{"object":{"text":"S.1024-1996","id":"O117533"},"association":"Object"},{"object":{"text":"S.1032-1996","id":"O117537"},"association":"Object"}],"creditLine":"","dimensions":[{"dimension":"Height","value":"14","unit":"cm","qualifier":"","date":{"text":"","earliest":null,"latest":null},"part":"","note":""},{"dimension":"Depth","value":"5.4","unit":"cm","qualifier":"","date":{"text":"","earliest":null,"latest":null},"part":"of base","note":""},{"dimension":"Width","value":"6.2","unit":"cm","qualifier":"","date":{"text":"","earliest":null,"latest":null},"part":"of base","note":""}],"dimensionsNote":"","marksAndInscriptions":[],"objectHistory":"This shows the leading comic actor John Liston as Van Dunder in John Poole's play <i>Twould Puzzle a Conjuror</i>, Haymarket Theatre, 11 September 1824, which was adapted  as a vehicle for Liston from an earlier play of Poole's <i>The Burgomaster of Sardaam</i>.  The play's title comes from Liston's catch-phrase in the play.","historicalContext":"","briefDescription":"Figurine of John Liston as Van Dunder in John Poole's comedy <i>'Twould Puzzle a Conjurer</i>, Haymarket Theatre, 11 September 1824. Robert Bloor & Co, ca.1830","bibliographicReferences":[],"production":"","productionType":{"text":"","id":""},"contentDescription":"","contentPlaces":[],"associatedPlaces":[],"contentPerson":[{"text":"Liston","id":"N1237"}],"associatedPerson":[{"text":"Liston, John","id":"N1237"}],"contentOrganisations":[],"associatedOrganisations":[],"contentPeople":[],"associatedPeople":[],"contentEvents":[],"associatedEvents":[],"contentOthers":[],"contentConcepts":[],"contentLiteraryRefs":["'Twould Puzzle a Conjurer"],"galleryLabels":[],"partNumbers":["S.2061-1986"],"accessionNumberNum":"2061","accessionNumberPrefix":"S","accessionYear":1986,"otherNumbers":[],"copyNumber":"","aspects":["WHOLE"],"assets":[],"recordModificationDate":"2026-02-09","recordCreationDate":"2005-03-02","availableToBook":true}}