I have a particular penchant for figures of Charity and keep a number on a table in my office. Each represents the output of a different pot bank, so collectively they are a sample book of sorts. Recently, the figure below went to auction at Woolley & Wallis. The base in particular caught my attention.
Bases of this sort are associated with the Scottish Potteries. Below, you see the same base form on a pair of typical Scottish figures formerly in the stock of Andrew Dando. I think they are superb.
While you most customarily see this base painted blue, it also occurs painted in other colors. Below is the Scottish fisherwoman again, but this time with a black base, and again formerly in the stock of Andrew Dando.
Figures of Charity were made as companions to figures of Faith and Hope. If I find an unusual example of one, I immediately start searching for her companion figures. The Charity that sold at Woolley & Wallis does indeed have companions. Below are figures of Faith on the same base in two quite different palettes.
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I am certain that I have seen Charity in this set too, but for the life of me I cannot find the picture. Very frustrating! The point is that not all the figures we think of as Staffordshire were made in Staffordshire or even in England. The vast majority were, but some were made in other places. Scotland's potters--some of whom no doubt acquired their expertise in Staffordshire--turned out similar wares, using clay from Ireland.
Do you know where the clay for Staffordshire figures came from? It is logical to think it came from Staffordshire. After all, wouldn't you assume that a pottery industry would develop in an area rich in clay? Well, the answer is not that simple. The clay in Staffordshire is heavy red clay that is not suited to making figures. The key ingredient that lies beneath the ground in Staffordshire is coal. Pottery manufacture required about 20 tons of coal for each ton of clay used, so it was more important to be near coal than near clay. Staffordshire potters imported their clay into their district from the south of England.
Do you know where the clay for Staffordshire figures came from? It is logical to think it came from Staffordshire. After all, wouldn't you assume that a pottery industry would develop in an area rich in clay? Well, the answer is not that simple. The clay in Staffordshire is heavy red clay that is not suited to making figures. The key ingredient that lies beneath the ground in Staffordshire is coal. Pottery manufacture required about 20 tons of coal for each ton of clay used, so it was more important to be near coal than near clay. Staffordshire potters imported their clay into their district from the south of England.
