Myrna Schkolne: Early Staffordshire Figures

If you have already read the posting below about Jason and Medea, scroll to the bottom of it to see the pair of porcelain figures, ca. 1780, that relate to our earthenware examples. 

Porcelain figures generally predate the earthenware figures we collect, and in some cases Staffordshire's figure potters mimicked porcelain figures to create cheaper wares. We see this again and again. Let me quickly add that most Staffordshire figures are NOT derived from porcelain models. Instead, they simply mirror everyday life through the eyes of the potters. Of course, porcelain lovers appreciate the refined exquisiteness of porcelain. I like the earthy comfort of pottery, so when I figure is available in both pottery and porcelain, pottery wins out each time, by my reckoning!

The ram groups above let us glimpse at plagiarism at work. Clearly, the porcelain figure group on the right was the design inspiration for the earthenware group made some 60 years later.

We see the same thought process at work with the design of the figures of the Welch Tailor and Wife.

Clearly, the Staffordshire figures are derived from the Derby figures. The Derby figures were themselves copied. The original figures were produced ca. 1740 at Meissen. The story behind the design is rather amusing. Read it in the August 2009 blog posting by clicking here.

My interest in design sources dictates that I look closely at porcelain figures...and on rare occasions I admire them, but never enough to buy one.  I am amazed by the longevity of the designs: the Welch Tailor made in Staffordshire in the 1820s looked just like the one made at Meissen 80 years earlier.

This Derby figure form--an early 19thC example of a group that Derby made in earlier decades--again inspired copying in Staffordshire clay. The theme was a popular one. You can read about it here in my January 2009 blog posting.

The Staffordshire group was a roaring success, and you can find it with varying bases and bocages. Some examples have a spill vase in lieu of a bocage. Every collector should have at least one!

Quite a few Derby figures portraying theatrical characters were made in the 1820s, at the same time as Staffordshire figures looking just like them. Which came first? No way of knowing for sure, but my bet is on Staffordshire. And when it comes to chronicling everyday life as it was then, Staffordshire wins hands down.