Stag (one of a pair) 1775 - 1785

This is a salt-glazed stoneware Stag, made by Ralph Wood the Younger in 18th-century England. During this period, the English countryside was being transformed by wealthy landowners who enclosed common lands and created vast, manicured estates. The deer, a symbol of aristocratic privilege, became a recurring motif in art and design. Here, Wood's choice of stoneware speaks to the era's fascination with nature and the rural idyll. The stag, with its alert posture, embodies a sense of regal watchfulness. Yet, its stylized form and decorative glaze also suggest a degree of domestication, reflecting the complex relationship between humans and the natural world during this time. Notice how the artist captures the animal's delicate features, while also emphasizing its strength and virility. This tension between vulnerability and power is central to our understanding of how animals were perceived – both as objects of beauty and symbols of status.