Figure of the month

Agrippina

June 2020

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.

Agrippina with the Ashes of Germanicus first printed circa 1773 Alexander Runciman 1736-1785 Purchased 1983

More Figures of the month

Lord Raglan

June 2023

This is a very rare and desirable titled Staffordshire figure of FitzRoy James Henry Somerset Raglan, aka Field Marshal Lord Raglan.  The figure stands a little over 13” tall and dates to around 1854.  It may be found in Pugh’s 1987 edition of Staffordshire Portrait Figures, page 258, and in Harding Book One, page 121.

Pair of white cats

May 2023

This is a rare pair of seated cats, approximately 13 ½” tall.  They are decorated in bright gold and date to around 1870-1880.  Harding Book Two illustrates this impressive pair on page 239.  

Tiger and lion

April 2023

This is a rare figure of a tiger and lion lying in front of a palm tree.  Circus acts with wild animals became very popular in England during the 1830s and it is possible that this figure as well as other animal figures commemorated these events. 

Lady Godiva

March 2023

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

February 2023

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

January 2023

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.

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