Figure of the month

Poachers

November 2017

This rare figure depicts a confrontation between a poacher and a landowner. It is truly representative of rural life in Victorian times. There were many families living in the countryside but the size of their families coupled with low incomes meant they often resorted to poaching to find food to eat. Although this was commonplace it was a dangerous thing to do as if caught, the perpetrator would find that his punishment at law would be either imprisonment, deportation to the colonies and hard labour or sometimes hanging.

This figure is unusual as it is titled “Poachers”. It is well modelled and coloured and dates from circa 1850. 

More Figures of the month

Queen Victoria

December 2024

This is a rare Staffordshire figure of Queen Victoria, standing 8 3/4” tall and dating to approximately 1860. The Queen stands holding the staff of a flag in her left hand and a scroll in her right hand. 

Victor Emmanuel II

November 2024

This is a rare Staffordshire military figure of Victor Emmanuel II, standing 17” tall, dating to approximately 1855. It is titled in gold, raised capital letters, “KING OF SARDINIA”.

Dr Dulcamara and Adina

October 2024

This is a rare pair of Staffordshire theatrical figures, standing 8 ½” tall and dating to approximately 1848.  The male character represents Dr Dulcamara, as portrayed by Luigi Lablache, in Donizetti’s comedic melodrama L’elisir d’amore (The Elixir of Love). The female actress, playing the role of Adina, is unidentified. 

John Liston

September 2024

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

August 2024

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

July 2024

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.

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