Today, there are so few surprises left. Remember those bygone days when we waited a whole week to watch a sequel episode of a TV show? Or when we waited many months to be surprised by a baby's gender? Or when figure collectors waited a whole YEAR for Jonathan Horne's annual Exhibition catalog, hoping to find a special surprise among the few figures it featured? But today John Howard's stock continually surprises with its excellence and rarity. John has the finest stock of early figures ever offered for sale....and when I go onto his site, I just never know what surprise awaits. I try to avoid always writing about John's big-ticket figures....but sometimes I just can't help myself. The magnificent pearlware bear baiting group that popped onto the site this week not only surprised me. It has reduced me to shock and awe.
From the stock of John Howard
This group is akin to a snapshot. It freezes a moment in time. I know of only one other similar example, and it sold at the McCormick sale in NY in 2001. A stunning thing it was too. The bear's expression was haunting, and the look on the little man's face as he thudded to earth after flying through the air is comic. This group is a historical record and a fantastic piece of pottery all rolled into one...with a splash of humor added! The McCormick group (see People, Passions, Pastimes, and Pleasures, p127) has always been on my list of the Top Ten Figure Groups of All Time--and clearly John's group joins it. I do hope it goes to a good home.
Another gem on John's site that I have been trying NOT to write about is this pearlware figure of Admiral Rodney-- I do remember that many of you prefer me to focus on more ordinary figures. But this figure of Lord Rodney is, I believe, unique. I do wish John had bought it before my Schiffer volumes were published! Unfortunately, it only came to market recently, so I was not able to get it to the publisher in time.
Another gem on John's site that I have been trying NOT to write about is this pearlware figure of Admiral Rodney-- I do remember that many of you prefer me to focus on more ordinary figures. But this figure of Lord Rodney is, I believe, unique. I do wish John had bought it before my Schiffer volumes were published! Unfortunately, it only came to market recently, so I was not able to get it to the publisher in time.
From the stock of John Howard
Lest you doubt that the figure is indeed Lord Rodney, you have but to look inside.
The figure was almost certainly modeled by Pierre Stephan, the famous free-lance modeler who is best remembered for his work for Derby. Two earthenware figures with his mark (both are military figures) are documented (see chapters 67 and 76 of Staffordshire Figures 1780-1840, Vol. 2; also see this blog entry).
I am perplexed by the fame of Lord Rodney in his time (1718-1792). In fact, this naval officer's fame continued long after his death, as evidenced by this figure, which was made in the early 1800s. Rodney lined his pockets and apparently put self-interest ahead of his duty, and Wikipedia describes him as "vain, selfish and unscrupulous."
Today and in his time, Rodney was harshly condemned for his actions in capturing the Caribbean island of St. Eustatius from the Dutch in 1781. He tarried on the island too long, plundering its wealth for his own personal benefit. In the process he harshly persecuted and expelled its thriving Jewish community, and he was condemned in Parliament for his avarice and anti-Semitic vindictiveness. Unfortunately, Rodney, like so many modern-day politicians, survived this condemnation to fight another day, and his name has gone down in history, albeit not unblemished! The first name "Rodney" was first used as a given name in honor of Lord Rodney. When next you meet someone with that name, I suggest you NOT share this factoid!
I am perplexed by the fame of Lord Rodney in his time (1718-1792). In fact, this naval officer's fame continued long after his death, as evidenced by this figure, which was made in the early 1800s. Rodney lined his pockets and apparently put self-interest ahead of his duty, and Wikipedia describes him as "vain, selfish and unscrupulous."
Today and in his time, Rodney was harshly condemned for his actions in capturing the Caribbean island of St. Eustatius from the Dutch in 1781. He tarried on the island too long, plundering its wealth for his own personal benefit. In the process he harshly persecuted and expelled its thriving Jewish community, and he was condemned in Parliament for his avarice and anti-Semitic vindictiveness. Unfortunately, Rodney, like so many modern-day politicians, survived this condemnation to fight another day, and his name has gone down in history, albeit not unblemished! The first name "Rodney" was first used as a given name in honor of Lord Rodney. When next you meet someone with that name, I suggest you NOT share this factoid!
