Small pearlware figures in fine condition remain the most elusive of Staffordshire figures. For generations, these little gems have been tossed aside--or tossed out--as fashions and tastes changed, but today collectors are wising up to their worth.
The best things are said to come in small parcels, and the same can often be said of early figures. The problem is that good, small figures are extraordinarily difficult to procure. And true pairs of small figures are nigh impossible. That's why my heart skipped a beat when this true pair of musicians popped onto the site of RTS Antiques. A pretty picture, are they not?
The best things are said to come in small parcels, and the same can often be said of early figures. The problem is that good, small figures are extraordinarily difficult to procure. And true pairs of small figures are nigh impossible. That's why my heart skipped a beat when this true pair of musicians popped onto the site of RTS Antiques. A pretty picture, are they not?
Courtesy RTS Antiques
The decoration confirms that they are the truest of pairs and have lived together always. I have recorded a single example of each form, but I know of no other true pair.
The male figure is known to me from the little fellow below in our collection. He is made from the same molds as RTS's male figure, but with a bocage added. I bought him over thirty years ago, and I have yet to see another.
The male figure is known to me from the little fellow below in our collection. He is made from the same molds as RTS's male figure, but with a bocage added. I bought him over thirty years ago, and I have yet to see another.
I value my perky musician so highly that I placed him on the spine of the dust jacket of my first book, People, Passions, Pastimes, and Pleasure: Staffordshire Figures 1810-1835. I have not yet seen another, and I have assumed that his mate looks like the lady in the pair above. Imagine my surprise when this rather blitzed figure appeared on eBay recently. The bocage has been lost.
I suspect that this lady is my musician's companion, but I must await a better example. But, as it has taken me thirty years to come up with this one, I am running out of time!
By the way, all the musicians above have impressed numbers in their bases, suggesting Enoch Wood probably made them. The bocage on my male figure is also consistent with that attribution.
If pairs are so difficult to find, imagine the odds of assembling a hunting garniture, such as this one. All the figures are marked WALTON.
By the way, all the musicians above have impressed numbers in their bases, suggesting Enoch Wood probably made them. The bocage on my male figure is also consistent with that attribution.
If pairs are so difficult to find, imagine the odds of assembling a hunting garniture, such as this one. All the figures are marked WALTON.
If you can find the pair of sportsmen, you are well on your way to assembling the garniture because four animal subjects have been recorded, any one of which will transform the pair into a garniture. If you are so inclined, RTS Antiques has this rare twosome available.
Courtesy RTS Antiques
This has been the most barren of years for early figures, but I am constantly digging for the unusual. Amongst the unrecorded figures I have unearthed is this example of a lady, and, to my mind, she is a candidate for the Ugliest Woman of the Year award.
Courtesy Dovetail Auctions.
I was intrigued by the lady holding a book, below. She went through auction described as Faith, and she is in the stock of a dealer, again described as Faith. The problem is that Faith typically holds a cross, whereas this lady clutches a large tome. Some might think it to be a Bible, but I suspect otherwise.
Courtesy Cromwell's Antiques.
The figure is most probably Metis, the goddess of deep thought and wisdom, or perhaps Calliope, the muse of epic poetry. You can see more on this subject here.
The figure on the left below caught my eye on eBay. She portrays Peace. This is a common enough figure, but for one thing: the head is different. The head on the figure is usually formed like that on the right.
The figure on the left below caught my eye on eBay. She portrays Peace. This is a common enough figure, but for one thing: the head is different. The head on the figure is usually formed like that on the right.
 Courtesy eBay. |  |
If the head is indeed a "transplant" from another figure, it has been very well done and it sits quite naturally, Although one or two suspicious little bumps around the neck warrant further investigation, we may have yet another version of this otherwise common figure form.
Finding the unusual makes collecting fun, so enjoy your hunting. And remember to grab fine pairs when you can!
Finding the unusual makes collecting fun, so enjoy your hunting. And remember to grab fine pairs when you can!
