Most of us are familiar with figures portraying the parables of the lost sheep and the lost coin. These New Testament parables of redemption must have been popular in the Potteries because quite a few pot banks fashioned them in figural form.
From the stock of John Howard. This figure portrays the parable of the lost sheep. It was made without a bocage, although the same pot bank made this figure both with and without bocage. You can understand why even those of no religious persuasion are drawn to this appealing figure.
From the stock of Aurea Carter. This figure portrays the parable of the lost coin and it too was made without a bocage, but I have yet to see this particular model of the lost coin with a bocage.
In Vol. 2 of my new book, due out later this year, you will be able to see a plethora of lost sheep and lost coin figures. Some pot banks made them to pair, while others seem to have made only one or other model.
The figure group below is, to the best of my knowledge, unique. It has both the lost sheep and the lost coin on one base.
The figure group below is, to the best of my knowledge, unique. It has both the lost sheep and the lost coin on one base.
Is this not an amazing and lovely object? A generous collector shared this photo just in time for me to include it in Volume 2. It quickly brought to mind another equally rare group, seen below.
This group shows two figures portraying old age on a single base. Figures of old age are all too common. Again, several potters made them, and, in all cases but this, the figures are on separate bases.
A picture is worth a thousand words, and you can clearly see why I believe these two groups emanated from the same pot bank. Amidst the hum-drum, is it not refreshing to see one pot bank's innovative approach?
A picture is worth a thousand words, and you can clearly see why I believe these two groups emanated from the same pot bank. Amidst the hum-drum, is it not refreshing to see one pot bank's innovative approach?
