Pomona and Flora 08/12/2009
 
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Do you know the identities of these lovely ladies, portrayed as pearlware figures? They are Flora and Pomona, great favorites with 18th and early 19th century Staffordshire potters. The pair above are in the 'Sherratt' style.

Flora is the goddess of flowers and it seems natural to have paired her with Pomona, goddess of fruit trees. Earthenware figures were probably inspired conceptually by earlier English porcelain (Bow, Derby, Bristol) models of Flora. These in turn are derived from two sources: Italy’s famous ancient Roman marble of Flora, which was much copied in two and three dimensional art works of the 18th century; and a print, An Opera Girl of Paris in the Character of Flora, by Grignion after Brandoin, published by Sayer, dated 1st December 1771. The source of Pomona is unknown, but she is represented in earlier art work.

I love Flora and Pomona, whether paired or not. The figure below is also in the 'Sherratt' style--but this time made with a bocage.

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And last but not least, a tiny pair of Flora and Pomona. Collectors often overlook small figures on dealers' stands, as they seem lost among the larger wares. But these tiny treasures 'pop' among a collection in a home setting. I just love them. BTW, these were bought months apart from the same seller. She didn't realize they were a pair!
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