Lady archers and gentleman sportsman...I hear you yawn. Yes, there are too many dreary, damaged, or over-restored examples looking for homes, so the mere mention of a pearlware figure of this sort does not send the blood racing. But unusual fine examples or rare models always get me to sit up and take notice, and I am not ashamed to have a few on my shelves.
Among the less common portrayals is this pair, which I attribute to the Patriotic Group. I think they are rather lovely, definitely NOT boring.
Among the less common portrayals is this pair, which I attribute to the Patriotic Group. I think they are rather lovely, definitely NOT boring.
Did you know that the same figures occur on a single base, as below? Do not expect to come across these soon. I know of only two examples.
Courtesy the Collection of William Herbert and Nancy Hunt.
Do I attribute the together-forever archer and sportsman to the Patriotic Group pot bank? No, I definitely would not. There is not a single feature that establishes an attribution. The figures are from the same molds as the single Patriotic Group figures at the top of this article, but there are many instances where different pot banks used the same molds.
So who made the together-forever archer and sportsman? I don't know, but I think they were made by the same pot bank that made the unique dandies pair below. You can see the similarities in the bocages, bases, and painting. Also, I have examined all these figures and the glazes and enamels are very closely similar.
So who made the together-forever archer and sportsman? I don't know, but I think they were made by the same pot bank that made the unique dandies pair below. You can see the similarities in the bocages, bases, and painting. Also, I have examined all these figures and the glazes and enamels are very closely similar.
Ironically, dandies most typically stand together on ONE base, but here they stand on two. Ah well, this potter marched to his own tune.
We have come across a few other instances of pearlware figures found on one base that normally occur separately. As a reminder, here they are.
Several potters made figures of old age, but the group below is the only example I have seen with both figure together forever on one base.
We have come across a few other instances of pearlware figures found on one base that normally occur separately. As a reminder, here they are.
Several potters made figures of old age, but the group below is the only example I have seen with both figure together forever on one base.
Courtesy John Howard
The together-forever group below is also unique. The little boy portrays the Parable of the Lost Sheep and he is found on his own, attributed to the Leather Leaf pot bank. (Staffordshire Figures 1780-1840, Vol. 2, fig. 97.18). The girl portrays the Parable of the Lost Coin, and I have not seen this model before. Also, I have not otherwise seen the Lost Sheep and Lost Coin on one base.
Courtesy the Collection of William Herbert and Nancy Hunt.
Lastly, the shepherd and shepherdess below are otherwise always found as two separate figures. The very pot bank that made this group also made these figures separately ((Staffordshire Figures 1780-1840, Vol. 1, figs. 27.99, 27.100).
