For collecting inspiration, I look no further than the Staffordshire figures on John Howard's site. The plethora of goodies in his stock in unparalleled. This week, a particularly pretty pearlware pigeon tureen caught my eye.
So why a tureen in the shape of a pigeon? Today, we don't eat pigeons, but for much of the nineteenth century, the pigeon was standard poultry for the dinner table, and there was no shortage of pigeon recipes. Pigeons were served in broth, pies, and stews; they could be roasted, brazed, glazed, or trussed and served whole. And what better way to present a pigeon course than in a pigeon-shaped tureen?
Today, early Staffordshire pigeon tureens are very difficult to find. The Hunt Collection is home to the really pretty pair, below. Very many figures in the Hunt Collection were acquired decades ago, and now it is virtually impossible to find them. I can't recall seeing a pair of pigeon tureens like these. They have become scarcer than hen's teeth--or should it be pigeon's teeth? So if you like John's bird, don't hold out for a pair.
Today, early Staffordshire pigeon tureens are very difficult to find. The Hunt Collection is home to the really pretty pair, below. Very many figures in the Hunt Collection were acquired decades ago, and now it is virtually impossible to find them. I can't recall seeing a pair of pigeon tureens like these. They have become scarcer than hen's teeth--or should it be pigeon's teeth? So if you like John's bird, don't hold out for a pair.
Courtesy the Collection of William Herbert and Nancy Hunt
The Hunt Collection never ceases to surpass expectations. To add to its pair of pigeon tureens, it has yet another pair of figural pigeons of a different sort. This time, each bird (below) is a nun pigeon, the name given the variety of pigeon with a raised ruffle of feathers around the head. And yes, one has a baby...very sweet! Notice that these pigeons are NOT tureens. They were made to be purely decorative.
Courtesy the Collection of William Herbert and Nancy Hunt
If you have not bought Holding the Past: the William Herbert and Nancy Hunt Collection of Early English Pottery Figures, do so. I have no hesitation in shamelessly plugging the book because I know that every collector will drool over its pages. This collection's treasures never cease to amaze.
