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.
Daft, isn't she? But that's the quirkiness I love in figures. My friend Malcolm asks why this fish has wings. I ask if you have ever seen a mermaid? If you haven't....well, maybe they do really have wings. Seems our potter saw one with wings, at least in his imagination. Or perhaps those wings are fins that have evolved.
Of course, mermen or Tritons are more common than mermaids when it comes to Staffordshire, at least. Such fish-tailed sea gods generally appear to have been made by the Wood and Cadlwell partnership...but give me the mermaid instead, please.
Of course, mermen or Tritons are more common than mermaids when it comes to Staffordshire, at least. Such fish-tailed sea gods generally appear to have been made by the Wood and Cadlwell partnership...but give me the mermaid instead, please.
Courtesy Elinor Penna
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 forgot 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.
