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Sculptor and designer Arnold Machin created Ferdinand the Bull in 1942, in the midst of World War Two, when the Wedgwood company had only recently moved into its new factory at Barlaston. Machin was a conscientious objector, and Josiah Wedgwood V managed to keep him out of prison by pleading with the authorities that he was in need of an expert modeller to join the company.

Machin designed a number of pieces, in his own very distinctive style. The figures he modeled, to be reproduced at the Wedgwood factory were either of animals or people. He actually designed two bulls for Wedgwood – both in a very simple and solid style: the more friendly-looking Ferdinand, decorated with a hand-painted floral pattern and the more ferocious Taurus who was decorated with the signs of the zodiac. This version of Ferdinand is made from Queen's Ware and was hand-painted.

Both bulls were slip cast and made in two halves, which could quickly be put together using dilute clay or ‘slip’. This meant that they took less time and labour to produce - a useful economy during wartime, when many of the employees had gone to work in munitions factories or had joined the forces to fight for King and country.

Many years later a researcher at The Wedgwood Museum found out that Ferdinand was inspired by a children's story written during the Spanish Civil War by Munro Leaf. That story was also about a bull called Ferdinand. He grew up a very peaceful bull, content to stay in his field and smell the flowers on the cork trees until one day; men arrived from Madrid to select bulls to fight in the bullring.

Unfortunately, at that very moment, Ferdinand had been stung by a bee and was seen in the most uncharacteristic rage. Admiring his spirit, the men took him back to Madrid to perform in the bullring. Ferdinand, however, had no intention of fighting – he was too preoccupied with the scent of the flowers worn in the hats of the lady spectators. He would not fight and was therefore taken back to his own field where he spent the rest of his days in peace and contentment.

Machin's experience as someone who didn't agree with war must have given his Ferdinand a special meaning – particularly as the bull’s story had a happy ending: Ferdinand stood his ground and refused to join in something he had no desire to be a part of. Of course the conscientious objector experienced much unpleasantness by expressing his own views and refusing to become involved in war. He was generally treated as an outcast.

Category: People , Product

Institute: Wedgwood Museum