Duke of Wellington
Wellington was a Field Marshall and elder statesman. He distinguished himself in India and successfully conducted the Peninsula War.
In 1814, he was the British Ambassador in Paris. There followed Napoleon’s escape from Elba and the historic British victory at Waterloo in 1815. From 1828 to 1830 he was Prime Minister. Thereafter he assumed the role of the elder statesman. From 1842 to his death he was commander-in-chief.
Wellington was the most famous British General of the 19th century and his funeral at St. Paul’s Cathedral was one of the great pageants of history.
This figure is 12 inches tall. See Pugh, page B187, figure 23.
More Figures of the month
Pair of white cats
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
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
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.
