As the coronavirus pandemic marches on, I trust you are reading this in the comfort and safety of your home. How very privileged we are to be able to shelter in place, to wash our hands! My heart bleeds for the millions of helpless people in the townships of my homeland, South Africa, who lack such necessities. Daily, they scrounge for food and pray for survival.
Of course, the pottery world has ground to a halt, but we collectors have the luxury of savoring the treasures we already own. Digging through the folder of items I intend adding to earlystaffordshirefigures.com, I thought this large pooch and his two unlikely companions particularly unusual.
Of course, the pottery world has ground to a halt, but we collectors have the luxury of savoring the treasures we already own. Digging through the folder of items I intend adding to earlystaffordshirefigures.com, I thought this large pooch and his two unlikely companions particularly unusual.
Courtesy Sotheby's NY.
The group is BIG..a whipping sixteen inches across...and it sold a while ago at Sotheby's New York. The colors are underglaze and the group may have been made in Yorkshire rather than Staffordshire. It previously belonged to the iconic designer Mario Buatta, but I trust that its new owner is very pleased to have been able to give it a new home.
Also unusual is this impressive figure, which sold at auction in the UK not so long ago.
Also unusual is this impressive figure, which sold at auction in the UK not so long ago.
Courtesy Toovey's.
I have no clue as to her identity, but I have recorded another figure from the same molds (below left) as well as the companion figure (below right).
 |  Courtesy Bonhams |
| I have also recorded one example that, unlike its counterparts, seems to be decorated entirely in enamels. Alongside, you can just see her--or half of her--peeping out from behind Falstaff. |  Courtesy Bonhams |
I had almost decided that these languidly posed ladies were classical portrayals of something or other, when along came the lady below. I suspect she is from the same pot bank--or, at very least, she was modeled by the same hand--but here the subject oozes domesticity. I have yet to see a classical figure holding a cat!
Courtesy the William Herbert and Nancy Hunt Collection.
The companion model is a very English gentleman with the same dog at his side. Each is known only from the example shown here, but wouldn't they look fabulous side by side?
Courtesy Antique Dealer and Collector's Guide.
Believe it or not, there is yet another iteration of this theme. The particularly ugly fellow below in a rather unmanly pose probably portrays a theatrical character.
Courtesy Christie's South Kensington
His female companion is very like one of the first females we looked at.
Placed side by side, the columns differ and there are some other obvious differences, but the figures seem to share many common features--perhaps even common molds. Possibly one or both of these ladies portray a theatrical figure. Who knows? But, as always, guessing is part of the fun.
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One other mystery item caught my eye: the man on the very pretty plaque below is a real crosspatch. What a grouch! The modeler deliberately and skillfully ensured that anger and irritability oozed out of his every pore. Any idea who he might be? If you know, please share....and please stay safe!
Courtesy Peter Francis.
