Figure of the month

Dr Syntax stopped by highwaymen

December 2015

​Titled on the plaque on the base DR SYNTAX STOPPED BY HIGHWAYMEN, this month’s figure is after a Thomas Rowlandson engraving. Rowlandson’s illustrations on the Dr. Syntax theme inspired William Combe’s amusing Dr. Syntax poems, published from 1809.

This figure is attributed to Patriotic Group. H: 8.6”. It is very rare, all other recorded examples having lost the highwayman from the base.

Dr.Syntax stopped by highwaymen (1812), engraving, Thomas Rowlandson

More Figures of the month

Sir William John Codrington

April 2026

This is a rare figure of Sir William John Codrington.  He was a British army officer who eventually became a general and then Commander in Chief of British forces in the Crimean War. 

Tam O’Shanter and Souter Johnny

March 2026

This is a rare pair of early figures of Tam O’Shanter and Souter Johnny, characters in the Robert Burns play “Tam O’Shanter”, written in 1790.

A pair of giraffes

February 2026

This is a fine pair of Staffordshire giraffes, seated below palm trees, each approximately 5 ½” tall.  These figures are very rare, dating to approximately 1850. 

Old Age

January 2026

This is a fine pair of early Staffordshire figures portraying “Old Age”. They stand about 8 ¾” tall and date to about 1820. 

A pair of pointers

December 2025

This is a rare pair of Staffordshire foxhounds, pointers, or game dogs. Whatever one decides to call them, they are an unusual and very fine pair.

Reverand Edward Meyrick Goulburn

November 2025

This is a rare Staffordshire figure of the Reverand Edward Goulburn, standing approximately 11 1/2” tall and dating to about 1860.

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