My friend Melanie complains there are no early Staffordshire fish. She is right...almost, or at least half right. Look at this lovely mermaid, about 9" tall.
The argument could be made that mermaids and mermen are mammals rather than fish...but please find another blog to debate this. When I think "fish," I always think of Staffordshire figures depicting the element Water. As you know, our potters made figural representations of Earth, Fire, Water, and Air. Water is usually depicted as a fisherwoman holding fish in her skirt.
Pearlware figure titled WATER. The lady holds fish in her raised apron,
OK, I admit Water holds really tiny fish. But what about these charming children each holding a large fish. Formed as candlesticks, these figures are unlike anything I have recorded hitherto. Yummy colors.
I haven't forgotten the dolphin alongside Venus, because we all know that dolphins are mammals rather than fish. But if you know how I can save the fish in our pond from a very predatory heron, please email me. Staffordshire heron? Definitely not...or should I say not yet. You just never know what will turn up next.
