Repros copy 2

Reproduction Figures

The reproduction figures shown here are all 20th or 21st century reproductions of early 19th century figures and, where possible, I have shown The Real Thing alongside. Sometimes the reproduction figures are described accurately by sellers. More often, they are described as antique, The Real Thing. Usually the seller is misinformed rather than dishonest. Some of these figures were made in the early 20th century. But many figures in this Rogue's Gallery have been made in the last 20 or so years, probably in China. Buy carefully, and if in doubt please ask me. myrna@schkolne.com

"Early Antique Staffordshire Bocage Puppies/Dogs"

Listed on eBay as Early Antique Staffordshire Bocage Puppies/Dogs this group is dated as pre-Victorian.
Those animals look like sheep to me!

Believe it or not....

"Chelsea Scholarship Prize Award Classical Staffordshire"??

This sweet but unremarkable figure is described on eBay under the heading Chelsea Scholarship Prize Award Classical Staffordshire. The listing adds "scholarship token prizes and awards like this were won by the best performing students, to take home, for their accomplishments."

I have never heard this account of the purpose of Staffordshire figures!

Repro Figure

The Real Thing

EARLY DANDIES?

"RARE STAFFORDSHIRE FIGURE GROUP-DOCTOR DOLITTLE?MINT"

Another eBay gem. I have written to the seller to inform that this is a VERY modern reproduction of an early 19thC Dancing Bear group. You can see a look-alike under the REPROS tab on this site. But let's give the seller credit for creativity. Doctor Dolittle. Who would have thunk...

Trust but Verify

I am an idiot! On June 1, I blogged this figure of St. Sebastian. Read about it by clicking here. The figure was on a website, and it purported to be made by Enoch Wood. After some emailing, the seller wrote me "This piece will go in the junk auction pile, and I'll take my lumps like a good boy. I appreciate your helpfulness on this figure even though the news is not what I would have liked to hear." Innocent that I am, I declared the seller a Prince of a Man. Unfortunately, this Kent figure (1890-1960) remains on the web described thus:

Antique Porcelain Enoch Wood St. Sebastian Staffordshire Figure Rare Enoch Wood Mark, Circa 1784-1792 This wonderful early and rare Staffordshire figure of St. Sebastain is impressed with the scarce block capital letters Enoch Wood mark on its base. J. F. Blacker, in The ABC of Collecting Old English Pottery, asserts that "specimens marked ENOCH WOOD, or E. WOOD, are excellent in every way, and go far to prove what a skillful artist this Wood was."This mark very likely identifies the figure as among Wood's first molds when he established his first business, at Fountain Place, Burslem, potting there from ca. 1784 to ca. 1792. In Collecting Staffordshire Pottery, Louis T. Stanley positively identifies this lovely Staffordshire figure and notes "St. Sebastian, the Roman soldier and Christian martyr, who was born at Narbonne and shot to death with arrows in Rome about A.D. 288 under Diocletian, is the subject of a 10 1/2 inch figure... depicted standing against a tree trunk, naked except for a loin-cloth."
You can see it by clicking HERE.

Repro Figure

Repro Figure.

"Authentic Antique Staffordshire Pearlware 'Tythe Pig' Group Spill Holder"??????

Described thus: This is an Authentic Antique Staffordshire Pearlware 'Tythe Pig' Group Spill Holder. This is one of the rarer ones which shows just the Farmer and his dog with the Tythe Pig. Hand Painted.Circa 1820.
Excellent Condition.

Antique? I believe this figure was made VERY recently.
Staffordshire? I believe this figure was made in Asia.
Pearlware? No way!
Tythe Pig? Sorry, the tithe pig group shows a parson, a farmer, his wife and the baby.
Spill holder? OK, I concede this one.

See for yourself on eBay, while the listing lasts!

Repro Figure

The Real Thing

STAFFORDSHIRE LEOPARD GROUP C1830?

Described as A RARE EARLY STAFFORDSHIRE GROUP OF A LEOPARD AND IT'S CUB LAYING NEAR A TREE. THE GROUP DATING TO C1830 IS WONDERFULLY MADE NOTICE THE DELIGHTFUL LEOPARD CUB SITTING. I FEEL THIS SUBJECT MATTER FOR STAFFORDSHIRE POTTERY IS UNUSUAL & SCARCE.

"RARE EARLY STAFFORDSHIRE PEARL WARE BOY FIGURE STATUE"

Described as RARE EARLY STAFFORDSHIRE PEARL WARE BOY FIGURE STATUE and " early 18C' This 'rare' item can be viewed on eBay by clicking here

I notified the seller that this item is not an early Staffordshire figure, that it is not pearlware, that it was not made in the early 18th century.

The reply was "OK".

The listing remains unchanged.

I remain puzzled as to how anyone could mistake this for an early Staffordshire figure.

Early?

Described as EARLY ANTIQUE ENGLISH STAFFORDSHIRE GROUPING_1800's from a Hyde Park Estate EARLY ANTIQUE ENGLISH STAFFORDSHIRE GROUPING_1800's from a Hyde Park Estate...I believe this to be quite early based on the paint, base and mold. I really like this charming piece.

Starting price on eBay is GBP70. Offered by seller 'goingone07'. I will be adding this figure to the REPRO tab on this site!!

I have written to tell the seller I don't believe this is an early figure.

"ANTIQUE STAFFORDSHIRE FIGURE STAG DEER WALTON WOOD SALT"??

Described as ANTIQUE EARLY STAFFORDSHIRE FIGURE STAG / DEER WITH BOCAGE & HOLLOW BASE, UNMARKED BUT TYPICAL OF PIECES PRODUCED BY WALTON, WOOD & SALT. circa 1820.

I have emailed eBay seller 'rogeroldstuff' to tell him that this figure was not made in the early 19thCentury. Among other things, note that the bocage leaves are made from a single bat of clay.

Repro Figure

The Real Thing

"Wow" is the word

When I started my site, a dealer accused me of doing this so I would get offered figures. The thought hadn't crossed my mind...but I recalled the comment this week when I was offered my first figure by a blog reader. It's too good not to share with you

Repro Figure

The Real Thing

Spring and Langan, again.

Surely the most common repro on eBay is this figure of Spring and Langan. But when one comes up, I have to tell the seller to protect buyers. Most sellers are appropriately responsive. Occasionally, things don't go that well.

Has to be genuine because my g/friend paid $90...

The owner of a shop that specializes, I think, in pre-owned decorative items called me demanding to know if a figure he had was antique. Yellow on the front, white at the back with performing animals. I told him I required a picture. In short order this arrived.

Dear locksley23,
I am sure you listed with only the very best intentions so I thought you would like to know that this figure is a very modern reproduction of an early 19th century figure group. Your group was possibly made in Asia, copied from a picture of the original that appeared in "Circus & Sport: Staffordshire Figures 1780-1840", published around 1990. With best wishes,
Myrna Schkolne

Hi Myrna! Yes, thanks and I really do appreciate and welcome comments from this listing. I have been selling this item 8 years ago while we were still in Staffordshire and was just basing my listing on what people in England has been saying coz I'm no expert on this antique things myself. Anyway, same item was appraised in our place in Stoke on Trent by a team of Antique Roadshow personnel and that was based on what I heard from them anyway. The original figure was auctioned in Sothebys and fetched a fortune but this item I have accdg. to them was just a repro and also said that this is over a hundred years old. Well, yes, anyway, If this thing doesn't sell I am intending to keep it as a souvenir from England. Again, thanks for the info and GodBless!-Locksley23
- locksley23

Hi Locksley23,
I am still very troubled by this listing because I have told you that your item is NOT antique and NOT over 100 years old, as you claim. I would not want you to willfully attempt to deceive people into believing this item is something it never was, because this has the potential to cause you endless difficulties if the item sells. I find it impossible to believe that any ceramics expert would tell you that such a figure is antique. The identical figure recently sold at Skinner, Boston, for $12. Please consider withdrawing your listing, or wording it to reflect the reality of the situation...and I hope you enjoy keeping it as a souvenir.
Myrna

I will keep you posted, but as this is the second attempt to get the seller to kill this listing, I expect no success.

Repro Figure

The Real Thing

The email accompanying this post-early 19thC figure read "Wow. Do you want it?" I don't! Can you guess why not?

The man called back, I gently broke the bad news, and he hung up without even a "good-bye." The word 'thank you" was not part of the conversation.

End of story? Far from it. That evening, the figure's owner called me. He had wanted to sell it to the shop owner and he demanded to know how I could possibly say it was not early. Firstly, it had been in his family for a long time. Secondly, it had a red bear which made it valuable (please don't ask me to explain this!!). Thirdly, his girlfriend had recently paid $90.

I took a deep breath and slowly explained all the things that make this figure wrong. When I told the man to look at the very Asian facial features on his figure, he got it. What did I learn? Next time, I should say it's like telling someone's age. We can all tell the difference between a 20 year old female and a 90 year old female. It is much the same with figures. Those of who know really know. We are so happy to share...but please don't argue!

Repro Figure

The Real Thing

Repro figure

Repro Figures

Repro Figures, rear and base below

Probably?

Coming up at Bonham's Edinburgh on Nov 11 is an item described thus:
Lot No: 487
487 ; A Staffordshire New Marriage Act group Probably early 20th century
Note the word "Probably." Problem is that age really does matter! Potential buyers would like to know if this figure was made in the early 19th century, or if it is an early 20th century reproduction. "Probably" is not helpful. What does one get for buyer's premium in this case? Probably not much!

A friend of mine says "When it is my time to exit this world, I believe I will be ready, for the world I loved will have gone forever." I believe I feel the same way!

"I travel to the best antique shows..."

Some eBayer paid $167 and change for this pair of post 1991 figures. Described as STAFFORSHIRE CREAMWARE PAIR OF CAROUSEL HORSE FIGURES EARLY ANTIQUE RARE WOMAN & MAN~GREAT WORK~NO RESERVE. Now why would anyone want these?

The seller HAD to know these figures were not antique. How do I know? Well, I wrote and told her/him so:
I am sure you listed with good intentions, but your figures are quite modern reproductions. Similar reproductions can be seen by scrolling down this page http://www.mystaffordshirehttp://www.weebly.com/weebly/main.php#figures.com/repros.html on my web site. Best wishes,
Myrna Schkolne
Well, I wrote and told her/him so: It made no difference. The listing was not changed.

The figures were well photographed, so it was quite obvious that they were reproductions. The seller was wildly enthusiastic. The auction listing goes on endlessly, reassuring you that you can buy with confidence.
I travel to all the Best antique shows, sales, as well as estate sales and am called upon to look at and buy full estates. I try to be the first one there at the shows finding the items first. I give it everything I have and my team works tirelessly acquiring the finest one of a kind antiques you can find on ebay, or anywhere else for that matter. NO JUNK!!!! Only the better pieces. There is WAY too much bottom out there and here, and I want to change this.
Read more of it by clicking here.

"Early 19th Century Antique Staffordshire Figure."

"Early 19th Century Antique Staffordshire Figure." Described as pre c.1840. Can be had for a starting--and possibly ending!--bid of GBP2.99 on eBay, item 360187056594.

Early 19th Century?????

Date: Sat, 3 Oct 2009 08:41:54 -0700
From: member@ebay.co.uk
To: hvip1@hotmail.co.uk
Subject: figures18 has sent a question about item #320431107398, ending on 08-Oct-09 02:30:14 BST - RARE STAFFORDSHIRE LEOPARD GROUP FIGURE C1830

Dear goingone07,
I am sure you listed with the best intentions, but your figure is very definitely a very modern reproduction of an early 19th century figure. Best wishes,
Myrna Schkolne

Sent: Saturday, October 03, 2009 12:31 PM
To: mschkolne@yahoo.com
Subject: RE: figures18 has sent a question about item #320431107398, ending on 08-Oct-09 02:30:14 BST - RARE STAFFORDSHIRE LEOPARD GROUP FIGURE C1830

hi thanks for your input, The figure was bought from a reputable person and the signs of age etc on the piece indicates this, whatever it is im certain it's not a copy and the price I offer it at with the size and weight is much cheaper then what you would have to pay from a antique dealer, Cheers

From: mschkolne@yahoo.com
To: hvip1@hotmail.co.uk
Subject: RE: figures18 has sent a question about item #320431107398, ending on 08-Oct-09 02:30:14 BST - RARE STAFFORDSHIRE LEOPARD GROUP FIGURE C1830
Date: Sat, 3 Oct 2009 16:43:23 -0400

Again, I am sure your intentions are good but I am an expert on figures of this period. I lecture, research, and publish in this field. My book is available on Amazon. My website is www.mystaffordshirefigures.com. Your figure is indisputably a copy. Weight is irrelevant to price. Hope you will look at the figure again and reconsider. Best wishes,
Myrna Schkolne
From: Hemal patel [mailto:hvip1@hotmail.co.uk]
Sent: Saturday, October 03, 2009 4:46 PM
To: mschkolne@yahoo.com
Subject: RE: figures18 has sent a question about item #320431107398, ending on 08-Oct-09 02:30:14 BST - RARE STAFFORDSHIRE LEOPARD GROUP FIGURE C1830

Hi thanks again for your input but as I said at the price I have listed it as the the rare subject matter I feel it is ok, It has age to it crazing etc, Staffordshire is not my strong point but I have listed it at a low price and will let ebayers decide what they think. Cheers

From: mschkolne@yahoo.com
To: hvip1@hotmail.co.uk
Subject: RE: figures18 has sent a question about item #320431107398, ending on 08-Oct-09 02:30:14 BST - RARE STAFFORDSHIRE LEOPARD GROUP FIGURE C1830
Date: Sat, 3 Oct 2009 16:49:10 -0400

Do you think it is OK to state the figure is C1830? I don’t.

From: Hemal patel [mailto:hvip1@hotmail.co.uk]
Sent: Saturday, October 03, 2009 4:51 PM
To: mschkolne@yahoo.com
Subject: RE: figures18 has sent a question about item #320431107398, ending on 08-Oct-09 02:30:14 BST - RARE STAFFORDSHIRE LEOPARD GROUP FIGURE C1830

Hi you are entitled to your opinion are you interested in this item? if not then I do not see the point in your enquiring about it. for the final time I am listing it as I bought it as I was told. Thanks

"RARE STAFFORDSHIRE LEOPARD GROUP FIGURE C1830"

My blog posting of 10/202009 deals with the figure below, on eBay. Have a look at the posting if you want a link to the auction, while it is up. Bidding starts at $150. Currently the seller has a feedback rating of only 97.6%, with no less than SIX negative feedbacks in the last year! Read our correspondence and make your own decision!

Repro Figure

Repro Figures

Repro Figure

The Real Thing

What is the world coming to...

when very late 20th century reproductions of early Staffordshire figures start appearing at reputable auction houses? eBay is one thing, but Skinner Boston, surely not? Well seeing is believing. Skinner is apparently planning on selling a modern repro figure of Spring and Langan, estimate $35-$50, lot 689, October 15. Opening bid of $10!

Described as early 19th century. I have written the seller to express my disbelief. Find these items on eBay, numbers 200377683394 and 200377679937.

Repro Figure

The Real Thing

Repro Figure

The Real Thing

Repro Figure

"RARE STAFFORDSHIRE BEAR & DOG JUG AND COVER 1820-1830"

You can Buy It Now for $6500, or Make an Offer. I did neither. Instead, I wrote to the seller of this item:
Your bear baiting figure is a modern reproduction, most probably made in Asia sometime after 1990. It is definitely not early. Several early nineteenth century Staffordshire figures have been crudely copied in this way. You can see a full color picture of an original and rare version of this figure in my book on Staffordshire figures, and I am sure the difference will be apparent to you then. I am sure you listed with only the very best intentions, so I thought you would like to know. Best wishes,
For the record, $6500 would not buy the original of this figure, a splendid item that is very unlike the reproduction, which is not to my taste. I read in the Antiques Trade Gazette that eBay UK is attempting to clean up the 'antiques' listings on that site. And what are you doing, eBay USA?

Repro Figures

Bocage?

Have a look at this one.
http://www.rubylane.com/shops/moorabool/item/1012426
"Condition: very minor enamel loss."
Do you know what happened to the bocage? The seller says the figure was made without bocage. The buyer took the picture alongside before returning the item.

"Rare Early 19th Century Staffordshire Flatback Group"

Described as "Scottish family group on rustic plinth, early 1800's" and "pre c.1840". Described as pre c.1840. Can be had for a starting--and possibly ending!--bid of GBP4.99 on eBay, item 400071582735.

The facts: Flat backs are considered Victorian. Queen Victoria came to the throne in 1837 and ruled into the 19th century. Early Victorian flatbacks are brightly coloured--usually on the front only. Later into the Victorian period--much later!--the coloring got sparser and sparser until eventually you find models that just have touches of gilding on their white bodies.

So what is a "Boe"?

This familiar Tithe Pig, made by the Kent factory in the 1900s, appears frequently at auction. Kent acquired old molds and reproduced figures in an earlier style, doing this from sometime after 1878 until 1962. Their tithe pig is generally accepted as a 20th century production. It has all the elements of a later figure: harsher coloring, all-in-one bocage structure, crude modeling, and whiter body. Currently, one is on eBay described as Vintage 1800's Staffordshire Boe? Old Farm Scene. The listing reads:
Very old Staffordshire from the 1800's figurine that is in good condition.This is a scene with a husband and wife and there baby with a priest at there side.They are standing under a tree with a basket of eggs on the ground and there three pigs one being held. I'm not sure what this figurine scene story is? This piece is quite interesting.It has some very small minor chips on the top edges of the tree and some glazed age cracking.It measures at 5" long at the base by 3 7/16" thick at the base and 6" tall.View photo's.

Ah well, these things happen on eBay...but they also happen other places. Last week, I spotted the same figure group (well not the very same one, but its twin) for auction in the UK in September. I wrote to the auction house.

Hello Emma,
Please ask someone to reassess lot 93, Staffordshire tithe pig described as Obadiah Sherratt 19th century. The figure group is a well known Kent reproduction made in the 20th century. An identical one is currently on eBay described as Kent.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=270445247117&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT
Also, on the BEWARE page of www.mystaffordshirefigures.com you will see the same figure, again described as 20th century.

In addition, there are no known Obadiah Sherratt type versions of the Tithe Pig group.

Please let me know how this is resolved. I hold Hartleys in high esteem and would hate a collector to make a mistake based on a well-intentioned but incorrect description.

Thanks so much. Best wishes,
Myrna Schkolne

I don't have a clue as to who Emma is, but she is the person who sends me sales notifications from Hartleys, the Yorkshire fine arts auction house. I haven't had a response yet, so I have tried info@ to see if anyone is listening.

UPDATE. An appreciative and courteous response from Hartleys on Aug 28.
"We have studied the figure, and are going to change the description to being Victorian. It does look to have age to it - probably late Victorian."

Repro figure

Repro figure back

"EARLY ANTIQUE ENGLISH STAFFORDSHIRE GROUPING_circa 1810"

Believe it? I don't!

I wrote the seller of this item telling him/her that I know the listing was done with the best intentions, but this figure is a circa 1970 reproduction. Dead give-away is the WALTON mark, which lacks the serifs found on true Walton pieces. Other pointers to late date: the color palette is paler; the figure lacks a rich glaze; the flowers were molded in one with the bocage, rather than being applied separately; and I believe the bocage is itself a single piece structure (remember early bocages consist of leaves that are made individually and then assembled.)

The Good, the Bad, the Ugly.

The Good: Just got a nice note from the seller of the modern bear listed two items down (Rare Bear & Dog Jug). Clearly, this was a well-intentioned but misguided seller. See note below.
The Bad: The note draws my attention to yet another of these things for sale at a high price. http://tinyurl.com/mhpzh7 I shall be writing to that seller tonight.
The Ugly? Well, just look at the bear!

Hello, I'm sorry it took me so long to respond to your message, I work 10 hr shifts at the local hospital. I very much appreciate any help in identifying this bear jug. I found an identical piece on Goantiques.com that is running now, asking price 5,500 with damage. The seller says she bought it at auction in 1985 and she dates hers at 1830. Please check out her photos and tell me what you think. Is hers a Repro also? I can't afford your book right now to do the comparison you requested. I assure you, I will not sell this bear as something it is not. Let me know what you think, if you will. Respectfully,

'Antique Walton Staffordshire Bocage Figurine ... from the late 1700s or the early 1800s'

Repro Figure

Described as a FINE PAIR OF STAFFORDSHIRE DOGS & HARES WITH BOCAGE pre C1840". I wrote the seller (who may be honestly misinformed), sharing my opinion that these figures are not nineteenth century but are of recent manufacture.

Repro Salt sheep from front

Repro Salt sheep from back

'Used" Elijah and the Widow

Believe it or not, this seller did NOT claim great antiquity for his battered reproduction figures of Elijah and the Widow. ...but others are not as scrupulous. So here they are, lest you don't fall into someone else's trap. These figures seem to be appearing quite regularly now.

'STAFFORDSHIRE RALPH WOOD "SHEPHERD & SHEPHERDESS"C1800'

Repro Figures

These figures represent the cobbler Jobson and his wife Nell. Similarly styled figures were made from the early 1800s into the 20th century. Later versions are detectable by poorer molding (early figures have fantastically detailed facial expressions) and a different color palette (note the base colors on this pair). I have yet to see a gold line on the base of a pottery figures of 1825.
The figures claim to be Staffordshire porcelain, but I believe they are pottery. They are also stated to be by John Hall--yet Hall only made pottery figures. There exists, I believe, just one pair of Jobson and Nell figures from these molds and marked HALL. But lots of other potters used these molds too. If there is any basis for attributing these particular figures to Hall, please tell me!

Another one for "Believe it or Not'--and I believe not. This beastie is described as having a 'great face.' Beauty is clearly in the eye of the beholder!

Repro Figure

Repro Figures

The Real Thing

Reori leopard, front

Repro leopard, back

"2 ANTIQUE STAFFORDSHIRE FIGURES BY JOHN HALL c 1825"??

'FINE PAIR OF STAFFORDSHIRE DOGS & HARES WITH BOCAGE pre C1840"

This figure is marked beneath 'RWOOD'. My note to the seller said: "I am sure you listed with the best intention, but this figure is of modern manufacture. In addition, the Ralph Wood mark has been incorrectly reproduced."

PS: The seller amended his description. As I thought, an honest mistake. So easy to fall into the trap if you are not in the know.

"POSSIBLY 1824 STAFFORDSHIRE BOXING COMMEMOTIVE POTTERY.....Date: c1840"

I have written to SO many eBay sellers about reproduction figures of the boxers Spring and Langan. Even have a standard email for these situations:
I am sure you listed with only the very best intentions so I thought you would like to know that this figure is a very modern reproduction of an early 19th century figure depicting the Georgian era boxers Spring and Langan. It was possibly made in Asia, copied from a picture of the original figure that appeared in "Circus & Sport: Staffordshire Figures 1780-1840" published c1990. The original figure is also in my book, photographed from several angles. With best wishes, Myrna Schkolne

Optimist or idiot that I am, I was this week claiming credit for the apparent demise of these figures. Yes, they are still on eBay, but increasingly they are listed as reproduction. But this morning another popped up, claiming to be "possibly 1824" and dated c1840. See it at http://bit.ly/OjBg0 ...while the sale lasts.The seller may have made a genuine mistake. In my experience, most sellers have themselves been duped. BTW, The Real Thing last sold at Sothebys for $18,000. So buyer beware!

PS: The seller responded by modifying the listing. Thank you, Seller:)

Repro Figure

Dingo?
Decribed as "antique"...there I beg to differ...this item for sale at auction wins the prize for the most amusing title: a dingo tending her young. That's something Australian--and this repro greyhound with hare is for sale in Australia.

Repro figure back, base

As you can see, the lion has clearly lost its bocage and there has probaby been some patch work to the top of the bocage stump. No doubt the condition report, or even examination of the excellent photos, would have told a potential buyer that there was major loss to this figure. Dawson and Nye sold the item for $265.50. No problem.

Within weeks, the same lion appeared on eBay, described as FINE 19TH C. STAFFORDSHIRE FIGURE OF A LION CIRCA 1820. Fine? Well, that is certainly debatable! There was no mention of repairs to fangs. Admittedly, the photos made the damage to the bocage apparent. But, in my mind, the unfortunate part of the whole thing is that the seller added: THIS IS IN GREAT CONDITION WITH NO CHIPS OR REPAIRS THAT I CAN SEE. This might lead a novice buyer to believe that the lion looked as it should look. Clearly someone thought the lion was worth $511. Does the buyer realize that this 'fine' figure in 'great condition' is missing something?

Potted in the After-Life?

What's odd about this description accompanying a Toby jug on a dealer's web site?
A very rare Ralph Wood enamel Bacchus and Pan toby jug. It has an unusual mask spout and a finely decorated handle, rich enamel colours which are highlighted with pink lustre.
As I know it, Ralph Wood III, the last of an illustrious potting line, died in 1801. Lustering was introduced commercially from 1805....at which time Ralph Wood was long gone. Of course, owning a Ralph Wood Toby jug is very nice--but then you need to be sure it was indeed made by Ralph Wood.

'THIS IS IN GREAT CONDITION WITH NO CHIPS OR REPAIRS THAT I CAN SEE.'

The lion pictured below was sold recently by the auctioneers Dawson and Nye. The listing stated that there were repairs to the fangs; it also offered a full condition report to interested parties, and showed photographs from varying viewpoints. So far so good.

'RARE & VERY EARLY ANTIQUE STAFFORDSHIRE CAT_circa 1820'

Antique? Staffordshire?
These three figures at auction are described as Antique Staffordshire. In my opinion, they are not antique...and I wouldn't bet on Staffordshire as the place of manufacture. Again, just my opinion, but they could hardly be uglier.

Stanfordshire?
Titled 'Early 1800's Stanfordshire "Wombwells Menagerie". No, I didn't goof on spelling Staffordshire, but the seller sure did--not once but twice in this auction listing! He continues: I do not know the history of this piece only from what i have found from researching. It appears it is a unmarked Stanfordshire piece,it is the harder to find earthware tablebase platform type which resembles a stage. I believe this is one of the varations from the around the 1820's. It has no damage and measures about 8-1/2 inchs high by 7-1/2 inchs wide. Any questions please let know.

Had I caught this listing before the auction ended, I would have contacted the seller to tell him that he was correct in not calling this figure Staffordshire. Although I know nothing about Stanfordshire (who does?), I believe this figure is a very, very modern reproduction and a poor imitation of one of the Potteries most magnificent figure groups.

I console myself with the auction result: $25!

Repro Figure

The Real Thing

Repro Walton sheep trio from front

Repro sheep trio from rear

'Jesus Christ as the Good Shepherd in Paradise'

I had to giggle at this description of a reproduction of the well-known pearlware farmyard group on the Potteries Museum, Hanley:

This unusual Staffordshire pottery group is 9"(23cm) high and 8"(20cm) across at the base. It represents Jesus Christ as the Good Shepherd in Paradise ( represented by a safely walled enclosure and probably also representing the Garden of Eden). In front of him is his faithful dog and we are the sheep that he protects. All about there is an abundance of fruit and wildlife, with happy birds even on his hat and a merry squirrel. But just as a reminder of the real world, in the tree lurks a large yellow snake.The tree's branches are hollow so as to act as a vase for flower stems. A bright mid-Victorian allegorical piece.

I wrote to the seller, who is asking 450GBP for this offering.
Your figure of a farmyard scene is a modern reproduction of a figure in Hanley (Stoke) Museum, made circa 1820. A full color, full page image of it can be seen in my book. Your figure was most probably made in Asia in approximately the last decade. It is definitely not early. Several early nineteenth-century Staffordshire figures have been crudely copied in this way and I would hate to see a collector buy one, believing he had the real thing. I am sure you listed with only the very best intentions, so I thought you would like to know

Repro Figure

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Repro

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The Real Thing

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The Real Thing

Repro figure

Repro figure impressed ENOCH WOOD on rear

Is imitation the sincerest form of flattery?
Seller's description reads: "The spill vases of figures and groups, as is this one, was made in Staffordshire by many, mostly anonymous, potters during the period 1810 to 1835."

Oops! I believe this figure was made in the late 20th century, copied from a picture of the original which is in Hanley Museum. To see the larger, earlier, GORGEOUS figure that spawned this poor imitation see People, Passions, Pastimes, and Pleasure: Staffordshire Figures 1810-1835 by Myrna Schkolne.

Repro Walton sheep from front

Repro Walton sheep from back

No one seems to know???
I spotted this reproduction figure listed as the Real Thing on eBay. I emailed the seller, and I believe she is genuinely totally ignorant about pottery.
"I had this first listed under majolica and someone emailed and said it was a nice piece of Staffordshire and I should do well with the auction. So I stopped the auction and it had a $35.00 bid and listed it under Staffordshire for a start price of $99.00--it did not sell so relisted it for $35.00. I am wondering who am I to believe?? You think one thing and another EBayer thinks another?"
I tried to convince the seller that I really knew what I was talking about. She modified her listing, which now states "I was informed that this is an antique English Staffordshire porcelain hunting scene. Now I receive an email that this is a copy of Staffordshire, so no one seems to know. I am presenting it as a figurine and that is it."

"No one seems to know"?????
I resent that. I know, and so do lots of you. I made a clear case...but the seller was not convinced. Hope beats eternal in the human breast, I guess....and I am giggling at my "dented feelings", which will recover:)
See it at http://tinyurl.com/4udxv7

Repro Figure

Where's the bocage?
Described as in "perfect condition." Can anyone see the bocage?
All of the very many examples of 'Sherratt' apostles I have seen have had bocages. Undamaged apostles without bocages simply did not seem to exist. But thanks to the purchaser of this item for helping us verify that this figure was indeed made without a bocage. What you see from the back is totally correct. I am so pleased to have added another figure form to the 'Sherratt' list. Never know what we are going to find next...and that's what makes collecting fun. Thank you, Peter, for all your help with this.

Repro Figure

The Real Thing

Pearlware c1820?
Listed as "Pair of Staffordshire Cat & Dog Pearlware Figures c1820" and described as dating to the early 1800s. I think otherwise!

Dear XXXX,
I am writing to you about the bull baiting figure, lot xxx, Nov xx. Please will you look at it again? I believe it is not early 19th century but is instead early 20th century. Anthony Oliver's Staffordshire Potter: the Tribal Art of England, pages 45 and 48, tells of this figure being produced by the Kent factory as late as 1960 at a reduced size. Oliver spoke to the man responsible for reducing the figure in size from the early 19th century Sherratt original. He was very proud of his derivative work and kept an example in a cabinet in his living room! A large, color picture of an early 19th century bull baiting, a Sherratt original, is on p137 of my book, People, Passions, Pastimes, and Pleasures: Staffordshire Figures 1810-1835. The figure measures 13.25 inches across. Thanks so much for checking your figure. With best wishes,Myrna Schkolne

So what happens? I never get a response, but about half the time the listing is corrected. The figure pictured above is described as 19th century and it has an estimate of $600-800. The real thing should cost more than $6,000!

"L@@K! ANTIQUE STAFFORDSHIRE FIGURES RARE 19C. ORIGINAL"
The text in this ad at http://tinyurl.com/4txzas reads "WOW! These rare Staffordshire figures are an original pair. I was told by an expert that they are circa 1870-90. These are amazing!"
My opinion: Amazing? Yes. Antique? No.

Repro Spill Vase

Repro Spill Vase, back.

Repro Spill Vase, base.

Early Camel?
Described as a "Staffordshire figure of a camel" and dated c1840-c1900. I sent the seller my standard email, which reads as follows:
I am sure you listed with only the very best intentions so I thought you would like to know that this figure is a very modern reproduction of an early 19th century figure. It was possibly made in Asia, copied from a picture of the original figure that appears in "Circus & Sport: Staffordshire Figures 1780-1840." With best wishes,
Myrna Schkolne

Bull?
About once a month, I send an auction house an email about the puny, wretched figure below. Note the size is 5".

Repro Figure

PS: There is hope for the human race! This seller has just modified her listing. She added "A woman emailed and said she would bet her life on it, that this is a repro." Well, I must confess to being that opinionated nut!...but it got the job done. Also, this seller noted "Expert says REPRO" at the top of the listing. I blush! But I am so pleased that honesty won the day :) THANK YOU, Seller.

Repro Figure

Sportsman and Archer
I have emailed an eBay seller, kindly suggesting that these two listings for "antique 19th century" figures picture figures that are 20th or even 21st century.

Antique?
Described as an "antique Staffordshire Vase Sheep and Young" and with bidding to start at $50. Sheep? Yes. Antique? I think not. Currently viewable at http://tinyurl.com/3z73kz

Repro Figure.

Repro Figure

C1800 Ralph Wood Type Male Flower Seller
5" tall, no chips, marked A228, starting bid 19.99 GBP...and the seller has two other so-called Ralph Wood C1800 figures. See this one, while the link lasts! http://tinyurl.com/4fhfg6 but please don't mistake this 20thC figure for a RWood treasure.

Repro figure

The Real Thing

Circa 1840??
Described as a "Staffordshire figure of a horse on top of a man V.G.C." and dated c1840-c1900. I believe this is a late 20th century reproduction, possibly made in Asia.

Where's the Dog?
Described as early 19th century with no signs of damage or repair. Well, these are certainly early 19th century figures. Problem is that the boy usually has a dog at his feet. Impossible to tell from the pictures provided if the figure was made without a dog (this could have happened, but I haven't seen such a figure yet)... but the dark enameling at the boy's feet suggest later overpainting to disguise the mark left when the dog was knocked off the base.

Repro Figure

"Rare Early Staffordshire Figure of Britannia, C1810"????
Described as "extremely rare Staffordshire porcelain figure of “Britannia” produced by the English firm of Wood and Caldwell in Staffordshire, England, circa 1810."

I believe this is NOT Wood and Caldwell, and it is NOT circa 1810. See Myrna's blog for a marked Wood and Caldwell Britannia

Modern Spring and Langan
Easy to figure that these hideous figures, advertised for sale as c1850, were made after 1950...well after 1950!
See them at http://tinyurl.com/3qp7hb

Repro Figure

The Real Thing

Repro Figures

Repro Figure

The Real Thing

Repro Figure

The Real Thing

What's this lady's real age?
For sale and described as "early 19th century"....I believe this is a 20th century figure.

Repro putto, front

Repro putto, back

Repro figure

The Real Thing

Repro Figure

The Real Thing

Repro Figure

The Real Thing

Repro Figures

Repro Figure.

Blood-curdingly ugly, aren't they? But with bidding starting at under 5 GBP, what do you expect?
cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=360084355757&ssPageName=STRK:MEWA:IT&ih=023
cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=150289525363&ssPageName=STRK:MEWA:IT&ih=005
...not sure how long these links will remain active.

PS: October 1: I never received a reply to my email to the seller, but the figures did not list. Surprise! The seller has now relisted them as reproduction.

Please be careful. A fool and his money are soon parted, and you don't want to be the fool.

"Staffordshire Boy Girl Couple...c1850"
or so the description reads at http://tinyurl.com/4jb5rn. The listing lets me think that this seller may have made a genuine error, but the figures are NOT antique.

Repro Figure

Early?
Described as "Early 19th Century Tithe Pig Group Staffordshire Figure" and "circa 1825"
Early? 1825? I think not.

Repro Figure

Dress Up?
Advertised thus: "Antique English Staffordshire Figurine of Girl Playing "Dress Up" with her Cat Excellent Condition 4" Tall....AGE: Guaranteed antique English Staffordshire and I would date it to ca. 1850. NOT any type of 20th century reproduction piece and check out the pics and know that you won't be disappointed."
Check it out at http://tinyurl.com/3wqbej but please don't confuse it with a 19th century figure, despite the high starting bid of $425...or make an offer!

Repro figures

Repro Figure

1820???

Described as "PEARLWARE STAFFORDSHIRE FIGURE CHERUB & GRAPES c1820." The seller says "I have never seen this model before." Well, neither have I...but then I focus on early figures.
Oops, I almost forgot the best part: 91/2" high!
Viewable for a while at http://tinyurl.com/6mp8ks

Repro Figure

A Young Widow
Described as "A lovely very old Staffordshire figure of the poor widow" at http://tinyurl.com/6l4k6s. At least this one doesn't claim to be antique--and it isn't! As for being "Staffordshire," I think that this too is one of the many Asian figures reproduced to mimic Staffordshire.

The Real Thing

"Antique Victorian Staffordshire Ironstone Flat Back"
Starting at 49 Australian dollars and viewable..while it lasts!...at http://tinyurl.com/3j7yxb
Antique? Victorian? Staffordshire? Hmm...most of us are older than this figure!

Repro Figure

The Real Thing

Billy Waters
Described as "Early Staffordshire Figure Billy Waters" and on eBay starting at 4.99 GBP. http://tinyurl.com/4rkjv4I
I have included the side photo because the lettering on the title is a dead give away and a great clue for the novice collector. This "rare little figure" is younger than I am...much, much younger!

Repro Figure

The Real Thing

Repro Figure

The Real Thing

Repro Figure