WYON, Edward
 
Marble carving of the pivotal scene of Shakespeare’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream. Oberon and Titania, exquisitely carved in alabaster by E W Wyon. Signed and dated 1848, housed in its original 19th centrist gilt-wood frame. This is a particularly interesting work of his. It depicts Shakespeare’s eternal drama between the King and Queen of fairies.
Oberon with his love potion hovers near Titania, already in the bliss of sleep. She is his wife and the queen of the fairies. Like her husband, she possesses powerful magic.
The play is set in theory in ancient Athens. In actual fact Shakespeare deliberately blurs the temporal landmarks. Oberon deals with his argument with Queen Titania, whilst at the same time intervening in the love stories of the young Athenians who had ventured into the forest during the night. Before which, the young people seemed to be directed towards tragedy.
The scene is finely carved Edward William Wyon. Remarkable condition, no cracks or breakages in the marble at all. It remains as delicate as was. The plaque has a diameter of 7.5 inches.
The English sculptor Edward William Wyon studied at the Royal Academy Schools from 1829. He crafted numerous commissioned works for Wedgwood as well as portrait busts. Wyom, renowned for his work, has shaped reliefs for the Drapers' Hall in London (1866) and two caryatids for the Fitzwilliam Museum in Cambridge (1874).