Agrippina
In the year 19 AD, the Roman commander Germanicus died of poisoning, and his widow Agrippina brought his ashes home. This tragic subject was appealing in the neoclassical period.
This figure of Agrippina is 8 inches tall. It pairs with a similar figure of Poor Maria. See Schkolne Staffordshire Figures 1780-1840 Volume 4, pages 113, 114.
The figure of Agrippina derives from Alexander Runciman’s print of 1773 titled “Agrippina with the Ashes of Germanicus”, which is now in Tate’s collection. Read more about it on the artwork’s page on Tate’s website.
More Figures of the month
Lady Godiva
This is a rare figure portraying Lady Godiva seated sidesaddle on horseback. The figure is titled “Lady Godiva” and is decorated in the manner of the Parr factory, with soft yellow, green, and brown brushstrokes.
Lost Piece
This is an early Staffordshire figure of a woman standing on a grassy pedestal, with a coin in her extended hand. The figure is titled “Lost Piece” and represents the biblical verses found in Luke 15:8-10.
William Shakespeare
This is a gilt script titled figure of William Shakespeare with his right arm resting on a book atop a pedestal. Next to the pedestal is a sloped watch holder with a clock face painted inside, sitting atop a tree decorated with grapes.
Children on Saint Bernard dogs
This is a very rare pair of children seated sideways on Saint Bernards. More common figures have the children laying down or seated facing forward. Others have the rear arms moulded into the figures, instead of being separately moulded as these are. These figures are approximately 10” tall and date to around 1840-1850.
King of Sardinia
This is a rare figure of Victor Emmanuel II, the King of Sardinia and later the first King of Italy. The figure is titled with gold accented raised capitals, stands approximately 12 3/4” tall, and dates to about 1855. It is probably a Crimean war figure, with Emmanuel being shown in military uniform.
Bluebeard and Fatima
This is a rare figure of Bluebeard and Fatima, approximately 12 1/2” tall, dating to 1858. Bluebeard is easily recognized with his blue beard. He stands upright with a knife in his right hand and left hand on his hip. Fatima is kneeling before Bluebeard with eyes cast upward toward him, hands folded in a prayer-like position.
