Joseph Grimaldi (1778-1837) has gone down in history as the original Joey the Clown. Born in London to an actor father, Grimaldi was put on the stage at the age of two. His childhood was filled with minor roles, and by 1801, he was established as one of London's leading clowns. At that time, a clown was a bumbling character, but Grimaldi refashioned the concept, transforming the clown into the absurd figure we know today. "Joey" became a generic term for all clowns on the London stage, and Joseph Grimaldi's whiteface make-up became their norm.

Grimaldi was the most popular actor of Regency times. Although his startling mask, bizarre hair,  and bright costume transformed him into an entrancing character, he, like so many other great comedians, was a rather melancholy individual.  Nevertheless, he was an indefatigable worker, and he pushed his body to great extremes just to get a laugh. But the extreme physical exertion of all those leaps and tumbles took its toll, and in 1823, Grimaldi had to retire because he was suffering from "premature old age."  

I know of only three pearlware figures of Grimaldi the clown, and all are in British museums. They are as close to identical as early Staffordshire figures can be.

Their design source is this charming print, published in 1807.

I am not sure when pearlware figures of Grimaldi were first made, but possibly they were in production by 1810.  Although Grimaldi retired in 1823, it seems the figure continued in production after that date. Figure fragments of the very same form were excavated from St. Paul's church yard, Burslem, and are associated with Enoch Wood, circa 1828.

And then there is this ugly creature, a very modern reproduction of the early pearlware figure of Grimaldi. The repro can be found most days on eBay...but I have yet to see one sell!

Recently, I was talking on the phone to a collector about Staffordshire Courtship groups--amusing examples, not the sweet sentimental groups that first come to mind.  It is amazing what we collectors ponder!  Of course, only after I got off the phone, did I recall the courtship group below.

I had always called this 10-inch group Royal Couple, but recently a dealer friend (who might prefer to remain nameless in this context) told me that he dubs this group Royal Grope.  Clearly, you can see the appropriateness of this title, but in printed matter I will continue titling it Royal Couple!

This group is far from common. I have encountered two examples. The first is in People, Passions, Pastimes and Pleasures. Alas, I since learned that the man has a made-up head. The group above is in Staffordshire Figures 1780-1840 and in Holding the Past.

Who made this group? The group has several "Sherratt" features: the brown and white sponging between the man's legs and a dress pattern reminiscent of "Sherratt". However, these are not enough for an attribution. The dress pattern is just a little "off," and "Sherratt" hat plumes typically have three feathers.  My gut tells me this is "Sherratt"....but I have nothing that would hold up in court!!  The group is a little transitional in styling. Aspects of it are typical of the simpler figure that were made in the Victorian era. On the other hand, it is decorated fully all the way around. I suspect it was made in the late 1830s. The "Sherratt" pot bank was certainly still active at this date, and, indeed, other transitional figures with definite "Sherratt" features are documented.

Last but not least, who might the Royal Couple be?  Again, I am not certain. Some have speculated that he is Prince Leopold and she is Princess Charlotte, Charlotte died in child birth in 1817, but both Leopold and Charlotte remained in the hearts of the British public. Leopold arranged the marriage that begat Queen Victoria. In fact, he was the queen's uncle and he was a father-figure and mentor to the young monarch. In 1831, Leopold was chosen as first King of the Belgians, and he married Princess Louise-Marie of Orleans that year. In 1838, they visited England, and perhaps this figure group was made to portray them. Again, I am reminded of how little we know!