Heraclitus and Democritus
These are two companion classical busts sometimes referred to as Tragedy and Comedy.
The sad faced figure on the left is Heraclitus (540-475 BC). He is known as The Weeping Philosopher because he found man’s condition melancholy. This Staffordshire example is circa 1780, stands 5.5 inches tall and is after a similar bust made by Derby.
The smiling figure on the right is Democritus (460-370 BC), a Greek philosopher and the founder of the atomic theory. He is known as The Laughing Philosopher because he found man’s condition ridiculous. Again after a Derby bust and circa 1780, 5.5 inches tall.
More Figures of the month
John Liston
This is an early Staffordshire figure of the actor John Liston, portraying the role of Van Dunder in the play ‘Twould Puzzle a Conjuror’ or ‘The Two Peters’, by John Poole.
Robert Raikes
This is a very rare Staffordshire bust of Robert Raikes, an Anglican layman and English philanthropist. The figure is titled in gilt script as “Founder of the Sunday School”, but it would be more accurate to say he was a pioneer, or promoter, of Sunday Schools.
Elizabeth Barrett Browning
This is a rare Staffordshire figure of a woman seated on a couch, with her dog beside her. It is generally believed to represent Elizabeth Barrett Browning, and her dog Flush. This figure stands about 5 ¼” tall and dates to approximately 1846-1850.
A pair of camels
This is an interesting pair of Staffordshire camels, each about 6 1/4” tall, and dating to approximately 1860.
Prophet Elijah and the Widow of Zarephath
This is a fine pair of early Staffordshire figures of Elijah, the Old Testament prophet, and the Widow of Zarephath. This pair of figures is attributed to Obadiah Sherratt, the table bases, bocage, and flowers being typical of Sherratt.
Boys playing cricket
This is a pair of Staffordshire figures of unidentified boys playing cricket, standing 6 ½” and 6 ¾” tall, dating to around 1850.
