A few years back, these pre-Victorian figures sold in the UK.
Two figures portraying Maria Foote as The Little Jockey, pearlware, made in Staffordshire circa 1830.
The Victoria and Albert Museum has a particularly nice example of the same figure form in its collection.
The Little Jockey, pearlware, made in Staffordshire circa 1830. Collection of the Victoria and Albert Museum.
The person with riding crop and breeches is actually a woman, the actress Maria Foote. She was loved for her role as "The Little Jockey" in Youth, Love, & Folly, a comic opera in two acts, authored by William Dimond and Michael Kelly. The play debuted at the Theatre Royal, Drury Lane, circa 1805. Notable for the role of a female actress disguised as a jockey named Arinette, the play was subsequently dubbed The Little Jockey, and appeared on many provincial stages. Staffordshire potters captured Maria Foote in her most popular role in the early decades of the 19th century. Similar Staffordshire figures continued to be made into the early Victorian period--probably intended to portray the role rather than the actress because Maria Foote retired from the stage in 1831. There are also Derby porcelain look-alikes of the figure, but I like to think our Staffordshire potters were the first to pay tribute to one of the most popular actresses of their day.
Fascinating Factoids.
Maria Foote was born into a theatrical family in 1798. She debuted on the London stage in 1814. In 1821 and 1824, she bore children to Colonel Berkeley, who had promised her he would marry her when issues resolving his inheritance were resolved, but in 1824 it was apparent that was not to be and their association ended. Around that time, Jospeph Hayne proposed marriage to Miss Foote. This very indecisive young man left her standing at the altar not once but twice. Thereafter, she sued him for GPB20,000 for breach of contract, The case was heard in December 1824, but when it became apparent that Miss Foote had initially concealed from Mr. Hayne both her relationship with Colonel Berkeley and her second pregnancy, the jury awarded her a mere GBP3000, most of which went to her attorneys…some things never change! But, like today’s actresses, Maria Foote had a way of landing on both feet. She had been poorly parented, so she was pitied rather than blamed, and public outpouring for her was immense. A February 1825 benefit for her at the Covent Garden Theatre was packed. Maria Foote ultimately went a long way from her rather sordid beginnings. Her theatrical career ended on 11 March 1831, and the next month she married Charles Stanhope, fourth earl of Harrington, thereby becoming the Countess of Harrington. She died on 27 December 1867.
Fascinating Factoids.
Maria Foote was born into a theatrical family in 1798. She debuted on the London stage in 1814. In 1821 and 1824, she bore children to Colonel Berkeley, who had promised her he would marry her when issues resolving his inheritance were resolved, but in 1824 it was apparent that was not to be and their association ended. Around that time, Jospeph Hayne proposed marriage to Miss Foote. This very indecisive young man left her standing at the altar not once but twice. Thereafter, she sued him for GPB20,000 for breach of contract, The case was heard in December 1824, but when it became apparent that Miss Foote had initially concealed from Mr. Hayne both her relationship with Colonel Berkeley and her second pregnancy, the jury awarded her a mere GBP3000, most of which went to her attorneys…some things never change! But, like today’s actresses, Maria Foote had a way of landing on both feet. She had been poorly parented, so she was pitied rather than blamed, and public outpouring for her was immense. A February 1825 benefit for her at the Covent Garden Theatre was packed. Maria Foote ultimately went a long way from her rather sordid beginnings. Her theatrical career ended on 11 March 1831, and the next month she married Charles Stanhope, fourth earl of Harrington, thereby becoming the Countess of Harrington. She died on 27 December 1867.
