I found this unusual little figure for sale at the Staffordshire Figure Association meeting last September. The dealer/collector sale is great fun each year--more figures than you'll see at any other venue-- and you never know what you will find. (BTW, now is the time to register for the 2009 meeting. See details on the Events tab.)
Enamel-painted pearlware Staffordshire figure of a man on barrel.
C1820. H: ~4".
I have no idea as to this figure's potbank of origin, but he is a jovial fella, great enamels, and I have never seen another like him.
Talking of special buying opportunities, did you check out Andrew Dando's Exhibition? The SOLD signs seemingly flew up. That being said, some of the nicest items remain, so do have a look. And mentioning Andrew reminds me of the only other figure in my photo archive of a man on a barrel. That one was in Andrew's stock a while ago, but with his kind permission we can glimpse it again now.
Enamel painted pearlware figure of a man on a barrel. Made in Staffordshire, circa 1820. Photograph courtesy of Andrew Dando Antiques.
Not knowing what will turn up next is what makes collecting fun!
