Hand-painted ceramic figurine of Swedish soprano Jenny Lind in one of her operatic roles. Lind made her London debut in the role of Alice in... Show moreHand-painted ceramic figurine of Swedish soprano Jenny Lind in one of her operatic roles. Lind made her London debut in the role of Alice in Meyerbeer's opera, Robert Le Diable (Robert the Devil). Jenny Lind's beautiful voice brought her fame in Europe, and though P. T. Barnum had not heard her sing, he brought her to America in 1850. Her popularity was so great that innumerable consumer products were made in association with her name or image, both in England and America. At 13 1/2-inches tall, this figurine is rather large and was intended to be on a mantelpiece, unlike the familiar small sizes displayed in china cabinets or on knick-knack shelves. It was almost certainly made in Staffordshire, England, a center of pottery-making that was famous for producing such decorative items. Figurines like this became more affordable in the 1800s, and so were a popular kind of household ornament in homes of the middleclass. Even though the figures were mass-produced, the coloring was applied by hand, so other surviving examples of this same figurine show some variation in the colors and details. Here, Lind is posed as "Alice" with face turned sideways and slightly upward, as if pleading with Robert, the main character in the opera. She is shown seated and clinging to a column upon which is mounted a large black cross. Her gown consists of a blue bodice (fitted top) and a full yellow skirt sprigged with flowers, with the long end of a colorful striped sash draped over the skirt. Her dark hair is pulled back in a smooth chignon or "bun" at the nape of the neck, and her cheeks are highly colored. The white base features a banner with elaborate script that reads, "Jenny Lind as Alice in Meyerbeer's Opera." It was made around 1847. Jenny Lind (October 6, 1820 - November 2,1887) was popularly known as The Swedish Nightingale. The exceptional quality of her voice was recognized when she was young, and she received training at the Royal Dramatic Theatre in Sweden, and the Royal Swedish Academy of Music. She was a coloratura soprano. She reached high acclaim in Europe, and eventually P.T. Barnum engaged her for a tour of America in 1850-1851. Lind, previously unknown in the United States since few people were familiar with opera, was heavily promoted by Barnum months in advance of her arrival, creating an insatiable demand for concert tickets. Halfway through the grueling tour schedule, Lind married Otto Goldschmidt, who replaced her previous pianist. The couple had three children. Lind became a professor of singing at the Royal College of Music in London. She is buried at the Great Malvern Cemetery in Malvern, Worcestershire, England. Show less