Figure of the month

A pair of clowns

J & S Mottashed Collection
December 2023

This is a fine pair of Staffordshire clowns, both standing 6 ½” tall, dating to circa 1860.  Each is wearing pantaloons, with the figure on the left holding a cane. 

J & S Mottashed Collection

The Birth of Jesus Christ

Stephen Duckworth

Despite being a popular subject in Western art, the Staffordshire potters did not produce a nativity scene. Stephen Duckworth offers some alternative Victorian figures for a festive mantelpiece.

Saving for a Rainy Day

John Howard

John Howard celebrates the enduring financial advice of the Reverend John Wesley, born 28 June 1703, a man who travelled 4000 miles a year on horseback, gave over 40,000 sermons and by the end of his life in 1791, was “the best-loved man in England”.

Small is beautiful

Winand (Win) Hock

Winand (Win) Hock lets his “smalls” speak for themselves…

Acting the part: Louisa, Constance, Diana, Diana

Dorothea and Sarah Gillett

Although many of the Staffordshire portrait figures were titled, sometimes the most well-known figures of the time were not attributed, leaving collectors two centuries later to wonder who stands on our living room shelves. Dorothea Gillett considers this question as she looks at three female figures…

Sheep – don’t you just love them?

Winand (Win) Hock

In this ode to the humble herbivore, Win Hock reminds us of the sheep’s importance to the history of British economy and social structure.

Look back on our figures of the month

Every month since 2015 we have chosen a Staffordshire figure to feature – it may be unusual, rare, have an interesting story, or might just be one of our favourites.

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