Courtesy John Howard
This performing animal group is almost always found as you see it here, with one notable exception. I have recorded the very same cast of characters assembled on two bases, as you see below.
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I know of only this example of this pair. Like the all-on-one-base group shown above, it can be attributed to the Patriotic Group pot bank. Judging from the varied bocages found on the performing animal troupes that I have recorded, several pot banks had a go at making this model. The little figures are largely the same, so I think the molds for them did the rounds in the Staffordshire Potteries. Particularly noteworthy is this large "Sherratt" spill vase, with the very same cast of characters.
Courtesy Private Collection.
The same small figures are found within a rare arbor --see Staffordshire Figures 1780-1840 Volume 2 for the arbor group as well other assemblages with bocages. You cannot fail to be charmed by them. To my eye, original animals are a must, but other restoration is to be tolerated. And don't for one moment be taken in by the crude Asian copies that abound, but then, Dear Reader, I suspect you are far too discriminating to be that easily fooled!
Reproduction figure
