I am quite convinced that the majority of earthenware equestrian figures link to the circus. These figure portray early circus stars. The circus was born in the latter half of the eighteenth century, and it was not the circus we know today. Instead, it was all about trick horse-riding. Horses and riders were its stars--the elephants, lions, etc. that we associate with today's circus came much later.
This equestrian figure of a Cossack soldier has just leaped out of John Shepherd's stock.
This equestrian figure of a Cossack soldier has just leaped out of John Shepherd's stock.
Why should Staffordshire potters make a figure of a Cossack?? Of what possible interest was this to Britain's better classes? The answer leads us straight to the circus. In November 1807, The Brave Cossack; or Perfidy Punished debuted on the stage of Astley’s circus, and that production was restaged in March 1812.
The goings-on in Europe made Cossack soldiers particularly topical in 1807 and 1812. Cossack soldiers were renowned infantrymen and they fought alongside the Russian army in the Napoleonic Wars (1803–1815). In 1807, Napoleon’s army advanced on Russia and prevailed in battle. In 1812, Czar Alexander’s offensive against the French was a decisive turning point in the Napoleonic Wars. The campaigns of 1807 and 1812 correspond with the production of The Brave Cossack on Astley’s stage in those years, and this figure was probably made at around the same time. The figure is really rare. I have one or two other examples on file--including a silver lustre example--but I have never seen the figure in the flesh.
Another equestrian figure that can also be linked to the circus has also sold from John Shepherd's stock (at Hiscock and Shepherd).
The goings-on in Europe made Cossack soldiers particularly topical in 1807 and 1812. Cossack soldiers were renowned infantrymen and they fought alongside the Russian army in the Napoleonic Wars (1803–1815). In 1807, Napoleon’s army advanced on Russia and prevailed in battle. In 1812, Czar Alexander’s offensive against the French was a decisive turning point in the Napoleonic Wars. The campaigns of 1807 and 1812 correspond with the production of The Brave Cossack on Astley’s stage in those years, and this figure was probably made at around the same time. The figure is really rare. I have one or two other examples on file--including a silver lustre example--but I have never seen the figure in the flesh.
Another equestrian figure that can also be linked to the circus has also sold from John Shepherd's stock (at Hiscock and Shepherd).
This little toper astride a horse probably portrays a circus clown. Around 1768, Philip Astley, the founder of the circus, conceived the first circus clown act with Billy Buttons, or the Tailor’s Ride to Brentford. This comic routine featured a tailor who could not ride but attempted to go by horse to Brentford. The buffoonery of his struggle to mount and stay astride his galloping beast made Billy Buttons a circus favorite. As the circus evolved, its repertoire expanded to include more clown acts. I wouldn't bet on this being Billy Buttons, but it certainly is one or other of the circus clown routines. Again, this is a rare figure and I have not seen another like it.
