I have written a book on Henry Bone R.A. Publication is anticipated in February 2025. The book will be priced at £39.00 including UK postage and at that time a deep discount to include the purchase of my Richard Champion book alongside the new publication will be offered.

Bone was born in February 1755 in Truro, where his father was a cabinet maker. When he was 12 his family moved to Plymouth, where he was introduced to the polymath and china maker, William Cookworthy. Before moving his factory to Bristol he employed Henry Bone, who was amongst employees who followed the factory move. In Bristol he was apprenticed as a china painter to Richard Champion in January 1772. His apprenticeship was not yet concluded when Champion, in 1778, handed his assets to Administrators. Bone made a life changing and courageous decision, immediately leaving to build a career in London.

In London Bone learned to paint in enamel on copper. He was to become enamel painter to Kings George III, George IV, and William IV, and the only enameller to become a member of the Royal Academy. It is an inspiring story told with the help of new research and illustrated with more than 240 of his paintings.

Keep an eye on this page for when advance orders can be made. Anticipated February 2025.

Below is Henry Bone’s copy of Bacchus and Ariadne by Titian, now in the Cleveland Museum of Art. At 46 cms long, it was the largest enamel on copper ever produced when completed in 1811. It was completed in the same year that Bone gained his R.A status and marked a high point in his career. When it was sold it made 2200 gns. By comparison the Titian, when insured in Bone’s house during his work, was insured for £1500.