It is a strange thing indeed, but it seems that figures of dandy couples were made to pair with a similar group, the man and woman positioned and attired slightly differently. But today pairs are rarer than hen's teeth. Inevitably, by now nearly all pairs have been separated, or perhaps they were sold separately originally, which would explain why pairs are so very challenging to find. I don't need all my fingers to count the number of pairs I have recorded in the last forty years.
I don't want to belittle a single dandies group--quality always wins out over quantity. But if you happen to find the companion dandies, that is the cherry on the top. I still cherish my first dandies, my very first bocage group. I have yet to see the companion group, but that doesn't matter in the least.
| About twenty years ago, I bought the stunning dandies that grace the cover of my first book. The potter Obadiah Sherratt made this group, and the little garlands on the base are exclusive to him --they are akin to his signature. Notice the unusual use of turquoise rather than green on the base and bocage. Sherratt used this color on a range of figures, so much so that the late Malcolm Hodkinson in his book on Sherratt dubbed them the Turquoise Group. |  |
Thrown in with my large dandies was the companion group, but the gentleman had been lost from the base. The lady looks in horror at the spot where her companion once stood before being swept off the base by a giant force that left her alone forever. She arrived around the time of great Asian tsunami, so I dubbed her the Tsunami Widow.
A shout out to my friend Nick Burton, who helped me obtain these large dandies. I well recall our shared excitement, and I suspect he has not forgotten his long journey to acquire them!
In around 2007,a London friend photographed a complete example of the "Tsunami Widow" group in the stock of Jonathan Horne, but, alas, by the time I learned of it, it had been sold. However, I used that image to illustrate both complete groups side by side in Staffordshire Figures 1780-1840, vol. 3.
In around 2007,a London friend photographed a complete example of the "Tsunami Widow" group in the stock of Jonathan Horne, but, alas, by the time I learned of it, it had been sold. However, I used that image to illustrate both complete groups side by side in Staffordshire Figures 1780-1840, vol. 3.
Fast forward to 2026, and this very group appeared at auction with labels confirming the Jonathan Horne provenance. This time, however, it was paired with its companion group, also bought from Jonathan. As the groups had different price stickers, I conclude that Jonathan sold one to a customer and then subsequently acquired the companion, which he offered to the same customer. As you see below, they could not be a truer match, down to dress patterns.
Sherratt made dandies in two other sizes. Below is a medium-sized pair. Again, those little garlands on the base confirm the attribution, and the bocage is typical of Sheratt.
Sherratt also made the medium sized dandies bocages without bocages,as below. Note the small white triangular area at the front of each base that is unpainted--perhaps the painter's way of subtly leaving his mark. Also, this pair qualifies for membership in the elite Turquoise Group:).
I acquired all four mid-sized dandies separately over the years, and forming pairs has been very rewarding.
I am still not done though! Sheratt also made his tiny dandy model with and without bocage. As yet I have not found a companion, but I live in hope.
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