In the past days, I have had lots of chatter from collectors about an impressive figure group in John Howard's stock.
Lovely, is it not? And almost as rare as hens' teeth. I know of two other examples. One is pictured in my book People, Passions, Pastimes, and Pleasures: Staffordshire Figures 1810-1835. The draymen are identical to John's example, except each wears the other's waistcoat. Yes, that gorgeous lustre tankard is present, but the bocage was formed somewhat differently, and there is no inn sign. (I have checked, the group was not damaged but was made that way)
The only other example I know of is in the Willett Collection, Brighton Museum. This is my all-time favorite collection, but this dray men example falls short. Very wooden, isn't it? And something funny is happening above the inn sign, I think. And look at that lower hand on the right, grasping air. Hmm.....
I found this print in the NY Public Library. It is from Thomas Lord Busby's Costume of the Lower Orders of London, published in 1820. Surely it is the design source for John's dray men group?
For those, who like me once-upon-a-time, do not know what a drayman is, let me share my enlightenment. A dray is a flat cart, without sides, generally pulled by horses or mules, and ideal for transporting large barrels of beer from breweries to pubs. The men who operated drays were called draymen. They were a breed apart, so read all about them in my book. And, if you are quick, you can buy the figure from John.
PS: I erred. I do know of more than three examples of this figure group. I have two examples on record that are rather unattractive, probably quite restored. And Jonathan Horne's final exhibition featured a rather attractive example.
PS: I erred. I do know of more than three examples of this figure group. I have two examples on record that are rather unattractive, probably quite restored. And Jonathan Horne's final exhibition featured a rather attractive example.
