About a year ago, I bought a lot that included several Staffordshire figures at auction. Of course, I only wanted one of the figures, but I had to buy the whole lot, which included a pearlware Widow. When the box arrived, I left the widow packed. I was far from excited with this mandatory purchase. Frankly, I considered it a nuisance for, as some of you know, I have been in the process of moving for the past year. At last, this week I reluctantly unpacked the unwanted Widow. A Staffordshire figure of a widow, was, I told myself, the last thing I wanted or needed, and I would have to dump it on eBay.
As we all know, figures of the Widow of Zaraphath are quite common and are sometimes paired with the prophet Elijah. A widow is not the most desirable of objects--certainly not from the perspective of someone who has seen as many rare figures as I have. I admit it. I have become arrogant and spoiled. In my mind, a lone widow, particularly when on a square base, was just boring.
But when I unwrapped my Widow, I was smitten by the beautiful enamels and lovely modeling. She shows all the hallmarks of an early enamel figure, circa 1795. Notice the soft colors and the total absence of the brighter greens associated with post-1805 production. Also, that dress pattern is the type I have observed on several other early figures. Add to it all, she has a great footprint, a three-dimensionality.
But when I unwrapped my Widow, I was smitten by the beautiful enamels and lovely modeling. She shows all the hallmarks of an early enamel figure, circa 1795. Notice the soft colors and the total absence of the brighter greens associated with post-1805 production. Also, that dress pattern is the type I have observed on several other early figures. Add to it all, she has a great footprint, a three-dimensionality.
Courtesy the Victoria and Albert Museum, London. I found another very like her in the Victoria and Albert Museum. The model is the same and the palette is early. Her right hand is placed slightly differently, which could have happened quite easily in assembling the clay parts.
| I notice that my Widow has very large hands. Large hands have long been thought to be a feature of Ralph Wood modeling. The Widow alongside is the model that we know Ralph Wood made. Who modeled my Widow? I like to think Ralph Wood may have modeled it too, but I really don't know. |  |
I looked at the numerous Widows in Staffordshire Figures 1780-1840, vol. 2, and, to my surprise, I have not recorded another Widow quite like mine. In fact the closest I find is the Widow below...but she has a wafer in her hand. Not as finely painted or modeled either.
And here she is again, but this time in addition to the wafer she has an ewer at her side. I think both these Widows, like mine, are quite early.
My Widow now sits in the line of sight my desk, and I enjoy watching the light play so gently on her lovely glazed body. She reminds me of the beauty to be found in the simplest of objects--a lesson we can all take to heart now that we are once again in the holiday season of excess. The thought of putting her on eBay to be sold for a nominal amount disgusts me, so she will live with me, and perhaps I will find an Elijah to pair with her at some point. He'll have to be really lovely though, otherwise she will continue to live alone.
Collecting is a fascinating journey. I learn about figures and about myself all the time. Till now, I have thought that my collecting focus is the rarest and most 'special' figures....yet last month I was offered an impressive and unrecorded figure group that I could not bring myself to buy. The modeling, colors, and glazes just didn't come together in a way that pleased my eye. But my Widow, at the other end of the price spectrum, is another story. This figure has taught me not to tar all seemingly similar objects with the same brush. Not all Widows are nasty clunkers. So, if you keep your eyes open, you can find beautiful undervalued figures that will give you a lifetime of pleasure.
Collecting is a fascinating journey. I learn about figures and about myself all the time. Till now, I have thought that my collecting focus is the rarest and most 'special' figures....yet last month I was offered an impressive and unrecorded figure group that I could not bring myself to buy. The modeling, colors, and glazes just didn't come together in a way that pleased my eye. But my Widow, at the other end of the price spectrum, is another story. This figure has taught me not to tar all seemingly similar objects with the same brush. Not all Widows are nasty clunkers. So, if you keep your eyes open, you can find beautiful undervalued figures that will give you a lifetime of pleasure.
