In the past on this blog and within Staffordshire Figures 1780-1840, I have discussed pearlware figures with what I call "detachable" bocages. By this, I mean that the bocage in each case was made separately from the figure and could simply be put in place afterwards.
Courtesy Andrew Dando.
As you see, the bocage fits into a socket of sorts. This technique was clever because if the fragile bocage was broken in manufacture, the figure itself did not have to be discarded. Just pop another bocage in that socket, and it was good to go.
Detachable bocages are associated with the potter John Dale. I have seen several early Staffordshire figures with detachable bocages, all with strong features pointing to a Dale attribution. The cow above can be attributed to John Dale, as can the sportsman below.
Detachable bocages are associated with the potter John Dale. I have seen several early Staffordshire figures with detachable bocages, all with strong features pointing to a Dale attribution. The cow above can be attributed to John Dale, as can the sportsman below.
But don't think for one moment that Dale had the monopoly on detachable bocages. Apparently, someone else used them too. Look at this pair of camels.
The three openings at the back of each camel are usually termed spill holders, but I really think they were intended to hold three bocage branches. Think about it. Why THREE spill holders? One would have done the job. And the openings are angled in such a way as to invite the addition of three beautiful bocage branches. Each camel is impressed beneath with "8," in the manner of Enoch Wood. I am confident that Enoch Wood made these.
And then there is this lovely dog----maker unknown, but I would bet that Enoch Wood made it. That opening atop the tree-trunk structure is a bit puny for a spill holder. But surely it sits too high to hold a bocage. What do you think?
Courtesy Elinor Penna.
So are other small spill holders of this sort spill holders or bocage holders? In particular, I wonder about the small holders behind large animals sometimes found with the Wood & Caldwell mark.
Courtesy John Howard.
The plot now thickens: Below is an Enoch Wood/Wood & Caldwell cow, made with both a bocage and an open socket.
 Courtesy John Howard. |  Courtesy John Howard. |
On Dale figures, the socket clearly was intended for a bocage, but on the Enoch Wood figures, I am not always sure. I have no answers, only questions. Perhaps you know.
