I love this charming, naive, rather wobbly looking figure. Seeing her made my week--probably the month --in my obviously pathetic life. I long to see figure forms that are hitherto unrecorded, and this figure had eluded discovery until Andrew Dando found her.
EUROP. Pearlware Staffordshire figure symbolizing Europe. Circa 1820. H: 6'. Courtesy of Andrew Dando.
The figure symbolizes the continent of Europe. It is endearingly titled EUROP--spelling was not the potters' strong suit. I assume that the intent was to make this figure as one of a set of four that would have represented the Four Quarters of the Globe. This theme was developed by Meissen circa 1750, and the figures were mimicked by Chelsea in 1759. Derby's figures, made from 1760 onward, are the best known. These figures are all porcelain, whereas our little EUROP is the only recorded pottery rendition of Europe. She must have been inspired by a porcelain figure. Peter Bradshaw, Derby Porcelain Figures 1750-1848, page 303, illustrates a set of the Four Quarters of the Globe wherein Europe shares many of the emblems found on our earthenware figure. As befits the queen of the world, our pottery EUROP wears a crown and holds an orb and sceptre. The horse at her feet, as well as the crossbones and symbols of war, allude to her supremacy in war. The books piled to the right of the base allude to her leadership in more peaceful arts.
Derby figures of the Four Quarters of the Globe.
Andrew Dando has supplied this photo of a set of Derby porcelain figures from his stock. As you can see, each figure has appropriate emblems, so titling is not necessary for identification. This porcelain Europe (second from the right) has a horse at her feet.
The porcelain figures are exquisite, but they fail to engage me. The pottery EUROP on the other hand oozes charm. The figure is indeed leaning to her left (prescient of the social shift that was to follow??), but something went a little wrong in manufacture. One arm of the bocage was lost.
EUROP. No repair or restoration or damage.
How do I know that the bocage broke off in manufacture and not subsequently? Viewed from the back, we can determine that the bocage broke off during the glaze firing and the mark where it touched the shoulder is still apparent. Close examination shows that both scars were enameled over and then fired one more time. This figure is as made. To think that someone might attempt to replace the lost piece of bocage sends my blood running cold. A unique figure in great original condition is a treasure.
What happened to the other three figures in this set? Your guess is as good as mine. Perhaps EUROP was a first attempt and the lack of success discouraged further initiative. I am hoping that the remaining three figures were indeed made and that I will find them someday.
