Staffordshire Figures 1780-1840

Once upon a time, Britannia really did rule the waves, dominating a vast-ever growing empire.  In the days before planes, trains, cars, and email, most forms of staying-in-touch required getting on a ship. So the navy--be it for mercantile or military purposes--was central to the country's functioning. Today, we don't give much thought to our navy, but in 1800 I expect everybody knew someone with a tie to the seas.

Can you imagine saying farewell to your loved one as he set off on a months-long ocean journey? Dangers at sea, illness on board....a zillion hazards could take a life in a blink.  And those at home didn't have even a photograph to gaze upon while they waited. Thoughts like this float through my head whenever I gaze upon a Staffordshire figure with a naval connection, and I am surprised there aren't more of them.  I came across this pair in the collection of the National Maritime Museum recently. 

Don't you want them? I do! You can tell he is a sailor by his neckerchief and other clothing. And she is holding a handkerchief to wipe away those tears of farewell.  If you have seen a similar pair, please tell me about them.  The only other example in the Museum is this sailor, from the same molds. Yes, original gilding, I think.

Earthenware figures of sailor often have striped trousers. I have this tiny sailor, one of my very early collection purchases.

He is only about 5 inches high, and I have recorded another example on a square base with a line painted around it.

This lovely sailor is taller, about 9". I photographed him from the Willett Collection, Brighton, and I have not seen another.

Yes, he is holding his bag of coins--his pay at voyage's end--aloft. Is this not a fabulous glimpse of a time gone forever?

The big figures are grand, and we all love them. And yes, I like many of the classical figures too...in fact, I like too many things! But ultimately the most engaging figures are those that give us glimpses of life as it once was.  That's what hooked me on collecting--and it still does.