A Staffordshire figure of the 'Rev John Elies' (sic) (1744-1841), 19th century, modelled standing leaning against a pillar wearing black jacket and breeches, titled to the base, 35cm high *John Elias was a Christian preacher in Wales in the first half of the 19th century, as part of the Welsh Methodist revival. His preaching was noted as being exceptionally powerful, ''as if talking fire down from heaven''. On one occasion it is said he preached to a crowd of 10,000 people. He was a strict High-Calvinist who believed in the literal truth of the Bible.