A finely modelled and attractive figural spill vase depicting two a children.

The older boy - wearing a kilt, high socks, a sash, and a large plumed hat - holds a jug in his right hand. With his left, he holds the hand of the younger girl. The girl wears a plaid skirt, pink bloomers, and a plumed cocked hat. She holds an elegant bird in her left hand. They stand beneath a tree trunk which serves as a spill holder.

The most notable feature of the figure is its very ornate base which is beautifully textured with foliate patterns, flowers and traces of gilt (though the gilt is somewhat faded).

I have not been able to determine the subject of this beautifully modelled figure.

A break to the top of the spill has been repaired (see photos) but the figure is otherwise in very good condition with a small firing flaw to the little girl’s hat and kiln soot in the glaze on the back of the figure.

Reference: Possibly unrecorded

Height: 7.75”

Date: c. 1860

A charming, fun, and unusual Staffordshire figure of a man sitting with a jug of ale wearing an oversized hat. This figure is presumed to function as a novelty salt dish.

The figure is nicely coloured with vivid gilt features. Its base is hollow, as is the large, unusual hat which can function as a small dish. While salt shakers in this style are not unusual, a salt dish is rather rarer.

This figural salt dish is in very good condition. There is a firing flaw on the (viewer’s) left side of the figure and a small chip to the base there (which seems to be under the glaze). There is a firing flaw to the inside of the hat.

Reference: Possibly unrecorded

Height: 4.5”

Date: c. 1850

A lively and well coloured figure of theatrical or literary form, possibly depicting the pirate chief Conrad from Lord Byron’s poem The Corsair (although this has not been confidently verified).

This figure is probably the work of the Alpha Factory.

The figure is full of energy and movement. It is beautifully modelled and full of bold, vivid colouring.

The figure displays well but the right hand has been restored, as has the item in the figure’s right hand (which has been incorrectly restored). The restored scroll is much larger than in the original figure. The restoration is not professional but it does rebalance the figure. There is also a small, superficial rub to the nose and some flaking to the orange and green enamels.

Reference: A. & N. Harding, Victorian Staffordshire Figures 1835 - 1875: Book One, p. 368, fig. 1414

Height: 7.25”

Date: c. 1845

A very handsome figure depicting the great English playwright William Shakespeare.

Shakespeare leans against an ornate column topped with a stack of books. He holds a manuscript in his left hand. He stands, cross-legged, on an ornate, gilded, magenta-topped base.

This is a figure of lovely quality - one of the finer Shakespeare figures of this kind.

The is offered in fair restored condition. There is proficient restoration of the right hand, and to the thumb of the left hand. There is a proficient repair across the neck. The quality of restoration is reasonable and reasonably discreet, though the right hand should be pointing and thumb is not strictly in proportion, as is clear from the accompanying images. There is a firing flaw in the crook of the right arm. Nevertheless, the figure displays very nicely.

Reference: Similar smaller figure: P. D. Gordon Pugh, Staffordshire Portrait Figures, p. H576, pl. 7B, fig. 24

Height: 9”

Date: c. 1840s

Provenance: The Kirkland Tellwright Collection

An impressive and monumental pair of figures of Crimean War interest depicting Sir Charles Napier - Commander of the Baltic fleet - and Sir J. W. Deans Dundas - Vice-Admiral and commander in the Mediterranean - standing in military garb next to cannons and piles of cannon balls.

These figures were made in three or four different sizes of which these are the largest. They are well-coloured and striking, with titles in raised flags on the bases.

Both figures display very well though some condition issues must be noted. Dundas has a crack, filled and stabilised, down the lines of the press-mould join. It culminates in a hairline crack on Dundas’ right epaulette. There is a small rub to Dundas’ nose. There is a hairline crack through Napier’s shins, all the way round the figure. This cracks has been filled and stabilised, and it is not clear if the figure has fully broken along the line. Both figures have fairly extensive crazing. These issues are clearly shown in the accompanying images.

Reference: A. & N. Harding, Victorian Staffordshire Figures 1835 - 1875: Book One, p. p. 90, fig. 211 P; and p. 57, fig. 127 P

Height: 16”

Date: c. 1854

A rare monumental pair of figures depicting Jesus Christ and the Woman of Samaria as told in the Gospel of John, chapter 4.

This matched pair is decorated with pale flesh, russet hair, pink robes, and gilt highlights. This is a highly desirable and impressive pair of religious figures.

The pair is in good condition and are well matched. The most notable flaw is superficial wear down to the clay body of the woman’s nose. She exhibits signs of other shallow rubbing and kiln soot in the glaze. Christ exhibits long firing flaws down the joins of the two halves of the press mould as is common on larger figures, but this is stable and not visible on the front of the figure. There are some patches of rubbing down to the clay body to the back of Christ.

Reference: Stephen Duckworth, Victorian Staffordshire Pottery Religious Figures, p. 112, figs. B.27a and B.28a

Height: 17”

Date: c. 1870s

An attractive and fine figural spill vase depicting a man and woman resting by a milestone indicating ‘LONDON 30 MILES’ in raised gilt capitals by a tree.

The source of inspiration for this popular figure has never been identified.

This figure is found in varying degrees of decoration - some very sparse, some very rich.

While not uncommon, this particular example is very appealing. It is crisp and fresh out of the mould, its gilt is in good order, and - most notably - the faces are very healthy and well coloured. Far better than many examples.

It is offered in very good condition. There is some entirely discreet retouching to overglaze black features, and a touch of fritting or shallow rubbing to the glaze of the tip of one branch.

Reference: A. & N. Harding, Victorian Staffordshire Figures 1835 - 1875: Book Two, p. 119, fig. 2115

Height: 10.5”

Date: c. 1860

A well made and well decorated bust of the Duke of Wellington fashioned as a jug with handle.

The Duke wears a military jacket with gilt adornments and orange a yellow epaulettes, and a white cocked hat with gilt trim. An ornate moulded handle is affixed to the back.

This jug is typically found well coloured although more sparsely coloured examples exist. It is well modelled and very well decorated - rich, vivid, and precise.

There is a stable hairline running about two inches down from the (viewer’s) right side of the cocked hat - this may be a firing flaw as the crazing pattern lines up very neatly with it. There is some sporadic flaking - to Wellington’s left eye and to the orange of the epaulettes.

Reference: P. D. Gordon Pugh, Staffordshire Portrait Figures, p. C261, pl. 16C, fig. 45(c)

Height: 7.5”

Date: c. 1840s

A charming miniature figure generally thought to depict Queen Victoria arm in arm with Prince Albert.

The Queen wears a long gown and a crown. Albert is dressed in full military garb.

For a time it was theorised that the figure depicts Queen Victoria and Emperor Napoleon, and while this is not impossible it should be noted that other Alliance figures featuring the Queen and the French Emperor show them holding hands rather than arm in arm, hence why it is perhaps likelier that the male subject is the Queen’s husband.

This little commemorative figure is a lovely little example - simple but well made and legible.

It is offered in excellent original condition with a small patch of wear to the front of the Queen’s crown. There is some discolouration to the glaze.

Reference: A. & N. Harding, Victoria Staffordshire Figures 1835 - 1875: Book One, p. 169, fig. 478

Height: 4.5”

Date: c. 1850s

A fine and very handsome figure of Prince Albert.

The Prince wears a long cobalt coat, a green patterned waistcoat, and a pink top hat.

This lovely figure pairs with a similar figure of Queen Victoria (also available on this site, at the time of posting), but they are a matched pair as the bases are different.

This figure is in good restored condition. There is professional restoration to Albert’s nose, right arm, right hand, and through his neck. There is a small chip to his top hat. The restoration has been carried out to a good standard and the figure displays very well.

Reference: A. & N. Harding, Victorian Staffordshire Figures 1835 - 1875: Book One, p. 162, fig. 442

Height: 8”

Date: c. 1840s

Provenance: Christie’s, 7th September 1995, lot 228

A fine and unusual figure depicting Queen Victoria.

She wears a cobalt jacket, white blouse with orange bow, pink skirt, and a top hat with a flowing shawl tied around it. She stands on a square cushion-textured base with gilt decorations.

This uncommon figure pairs with a figure of Prince Albert which is also available from this website, although they are a matched pair as they have different bases and are therefore being sold separately.

This figure is in reasonable restored condition. The left hand is restored to an acceptable standard (though it is not invisible at close inspection), as has the front of the hat (though this is rather better) Much of the gilt has faded and there is some discolouration in places. Nevertheless, this figure displays very well.

Reference: A. & N. Harding, Victorian Staffordshire Figures 1835 - 1875: Book One, p. 162, fig. 441

Height: 7.75”

Date: c. 1840s

Provenance: Christie’s, 7th September 1995, lot 228

A pleasing little figure depicting Napoleon Bonaparte, standing in military garb and a cocked with his right hand inside his jacket and a baton or spyglass in his left hand.

This simple but nicely modelled little figure is in very good original condition. There is a spot of stray enamel on the tip of Napoleon’s nose (this is not damage or rubbing), some very small spots of flaking to some of the enamels, and a spot of retouching to the black hat.

Reference: Possibly unrecorded

Height: 5.25”

Date: c. 1850s

A charming and very elegant pair of small figures depicting the young Prince of Wales and Princess Royal riding on ponies.

The Princess sits side-saddle with a whip in her right hand. The Prince sits facing forwards. Both children wear plumed hats, and are modelled atop ornate, gilded rococo bases.

Examples of these figures can be found titled, or without independently modelled limbs. While these two lack titles, they do boast independently modelled elements - the outward legs of the ponies and the children’s arms.

These delightful figures display beautifully and are offered in very good restored condition. There is professional restoration to the ponies’ ears; and a professional, invisible repair across the Prince’s waist.

Reference: A. & N. Harding, Victorian Staffordshire Figures 1835 - 1875: Book One, p. 186, figs 588 and 589

Height: 7.25”

Date: c. 1845

A very sweet and well made little figure depicting a hunter with a dog.

The hunter, standing by a gate, wears a green jacket with yellow patterned breaches and has a rifle leaning on his right leg. A little russet and white dog stands at his side.

This is a really charming figure with an unusual degree of detail and impressive modelling on display given its size.

It is offered in very good condition with no signs of damage or repair. There is some flaking to the enamels, particularly on the back of the hunter’s jacket.

Reference: A. & N. Harding, Victorian Staffordshire Figures 1835 - 1875: Second Addendum, p. 163, fig. 1828F

Height: 4.25”

Date: c. 1850

An exceptionally large and impressive matched pair of figures depicting the Italian revolutionary Giuseppe Garibaldi and the English playwright William Shakespeare, attributed to Sampson Smith.

These figures are among the tallest produced by the Victorian potters.

Each man stands easily, one leg crossed in front of the other, leaning on a tall ornate column. Garibaldi wears a sword on his right hip, and Shakespeare leans his elbow on a pile of books atop the column. The titles of each figure (‘Garibaldi’ and ‘Shakespeare’) are written in gilt cursive script on the bases.

While there may always be some doubt, it is assumed that the two figures form a pair, and that the reason that such disparate historical figures should have been depicted together is that Garibaldi visited Britain in 1864, coinciding with the tricentenary celebration of Shakespeare’s birth.

Both figures present excellently and are in generally good condition. Garibaldi has a lengthy crack running along the line of the press-mould join, but this seems to be relatively stable. Shakespeare has some small, superficial surface chips in places, including the collar, and some discreet firing flaws along the line of the press-mould join. Both figures have a small degree of enamel flaking. Despite the imperfection to Garibaldi, these figures make for a fabulous and very imposing display.

Reference: P. D. Gordon Pugh, Staffordshire Portrait Figures, p. H574, pl. 2, fig. C280; and pl. 3, fig. 3

Height: 19”

Date: c. 1864

A fabulous figure depicting a sailor with his arm around a woman, made at the time of the Crimean War.

The sailor wears a striped sailor’s shirt, cobalt jacket, and orange necktie. He holds a cap to his head, as though blown by the wind. His girl wears a cobalt jacket, patterned skirt, and a large pink shawl. They are modelled atop a naturalistic base.

This is a lovely presentation of this figure, which is often found sparsely coloured. It is beautifully composed rich textures.

It is offered in very good condition with no damage or loss. Some small flakes to the black enamel have been very discreetly retouched, and there are some sparse flakes to the girl’s skirt.

Reference: A. & N. Harding, Victorian Staffordshire Figures 1835 - 1875: Book One, p. 240, fig. 846

Height: 9.5”

Date: c. 1854

A charming figure depicting a gentleman and lady standing together under an umbrella.

This is one of a number of figures depicting couples under umbrellas. Some seem to be theatrical in nature and others have been identified as Queen Victoria and Prince Albert, though the characters in this figure bear no resemblance to the royal couple.

This charming and nicely decorated figure is full of charm and character. The lady’s right arm and the gentleman’s right left are independently modelled, as is the umbrella.

The figure is in good restored condition. There is professional restoration to the front of the umbrella and a small chip to one of its corners.

Reference: Possibly unrecorded

Height: 7”

Date: c. 1845

A fabulous arbour group depicting a man and woman embracing while another man looks on. The figure’s title - ‘RIVAL’ - is written in black raised serif capitals on the base.

Several versions of this figure (at least seven) have been recorded. This one is the most common. It is thought that the figure relates to the R. B. Sheridan comedy The Rival, though it may simply be a melodramatic reinterpretation.

This figure is in excellent original condition - a very good, clean example.

Reference: A. & N. Harding, Victorian Staffordshire Figures 1835 - 1875: Book One, p. 327, fig. 1201

Height: 10”

Date: c 1860

A very fine and rare pair of figures depicting children standing next to ponies.

This fabulous pair has, in the past, been identified as the Prince of Wales and the Princess Royal, but this seems very unlikely. They bear the stylistic hallmarks of the Alpha Factory.

A remarkably well made pair, these figures boast vibrant colours, careful modelling (including independently modelled outer legs for the ponies and left leg for the male figure), and a thick, healthy glaze.

Both figures are in excellent condition. There is a very faint, shallow hairline around the front-right leg of the male’s pony and a tiny patch of wear to the back-left leg of the female’s pony.

Reference: A. & N. Harding, Victorian Staffordshire Figures 1835 - 1875: Book Three, p. 58, figs a592 and a593

Height: 6.75”

Date: c. 1845

An appealing and well coloured titled equestrian figure depicting Prince Albert on horseback.

Albert wears a cobalt military jacket, epaulettes, a plumed hat, and a white and gilt sash. He rides a brown horse atop a naturalistic green, yellow, and brown base. Beneath the base, the title ‘Albert’ is written in cursive gilt script.

This figure pairs with a Queen Victoria on horseback titled ‘Queen’. This pair was produced in great numbers but whereas most are relatively sparsely coloured, this example is well coloured and rather more appealing.

The figure is in excellent original condition with some light enamel flaking to the greens and browns of the base.

Reference: A. & N. Harding, Victorian Staffordshire Figures 1835 - 1875: Book One, p. 172, fig. 501

Height: 9.75”

Date: c. 1850s

A fabulous, rare and very fine unrecorded figure depicting a female musician.

The musician leans on a column and wears an elaborate, theatrical costume - possibly of oriental form - with green cape, cobalt jacket, white and gilt bodice, beautifully patterned skirt, pink bloomers, red plumed turban, and strapped on shoes. She holds two circular instruments which are strapped to her hands. It is not clear to me what sort of instrument this is, but they may be a kind of handheld cymbal.

The modelling and decoration of this figure is superb, particularly the unusual but vibrant decoration of the skirt. The right left and both arms are independently modelled. There is excellent texture to the modelled clothing as well.

A chip to the nose has been filled and partially concealed. It is not unnoticeable but it helps somewhat to balance the appearance of the figure, which displays very well. There is some flaking to the right shoe.

Reference: Possibly unrecorded

Height: 8”

Date: c. 1850s

A handsome later 19th century figure depicting a vendor standing by a mule laden with brooms.

This figure - titled ‘Beesums’ - pairs with a figure of a female vendor and mule titled ‘Sand’.

A beesum was a broom fashioned from twigs. Vendors would travel the counties selling yellow sand and brooms to workers' and peasants' wives. Most people lived in houses with flagstone floors which accumulated a lot of dirt and grease, and to polish their floors they would liberally scatter coarse sand, 'walk it in' for a few days, and then sweep up the sand with a beesum. Sand vendors were known to cry 'sanyello' (yellow sand) as they went about their trade.

This figure presents well and is in very good condition with no damage or repair. There is some flaking to the dark, glossy enamels and there is fading to the reflective, brassy gilt typical of the period.

Reference: A. & N. Harding, Victorian Staffordshire Figures 1835 - 1875: Book Three, p. 202, fig. a2177

Height: 8.5”

Date: c. 1880

Provenance: Collection of Mr and Mrs J. L. Prentice, Buckinghamshire; and the collection of the late H. A. B. Turner, author of A Collector’s Guide to Staffordshire Pottery Figures.

A rare figure depicting Prince Albert.

Albert wears a cobalt jacket, peach-coloured waistcoat, pink trousers, and gilt bowtie. He holds an open book in his right hand, and holds his left hand on his breast. He is modelled on a woody-textured base and backdrop.

This figure was made in two sizes and pairs with a figure of Queen Victoria, although the stark differences between the two sizes of Victoria figures give rise to some speculation that one size may depict a different subject.

The figure presents very well. There is a chip to the (viewer’s) right side of the base from which some superficial hairline cracks emanate and some of the black enamels have been retouched.

Reference: A. & N. Harding, Victorian Staffordshire Figures 1835 - 1875: Book One, p. 169, fig. 477

Height: 8.75”

Date: c. 1840

A rare and well coloured equestrian figure depicting Queen Victoria riding a horse.

The Queen wears a cobalt coat, cobalt skirt with a gilded foliate pattern, a white hat with green scarf, and pink gloves. She sits side-saddle on a brown horse wearing an elaborate saddle cloth with its foreleg raised.

The figure pairs with a figure of Prince Albert on horseback. I have the pair to this figure but it is in a state of significant disrepair and is, therefore, not offered on this website, though I am happy to offer it free of charge on an ‘as found’ basis to the buyer of this figure if they wish.

This pair ranks among the better and more desirable equestrian Victoria and Albert figures. It is full of charm and very well composed and decorated.

The figure is in excellent condition. There is a stress hairline around the base of the horse’s tail but it does not seem to have broken. There are two tiny nibbles to the horse’s mane between the ears.

Reference: P. D. Gordon Pugh, Staffordshire Portrait Figures, p. A146, pl. 37, fig. 99

Height: 8”

Date: c. 1845

A large pair of late 19th century figures depicting a fisherman and fishwife, each carrying a net and basket of fish.

The figures present well when displayed. The fisherman has a large crack emanating from the underside of the base about four inches up the side of the figure, and then laterally about two inches across the back. The fishwife is in excellent condition with a small superficial flaw beneath one foot. The brassy gilt has failed on both figures.

Reference: Possibly unrecorded

Height: 13.5”

Date: c. 1880

A very large, rare, and well modelled titled figure depicting the poet Lord Byron.

Byron stands wearing Grecian dress on an ornate Neoclassical style plinth. He holds something in his left hand - possibly a bag of some kind. The title of the figure - ‘BYRON’ - is picked out very precisely in raised serif gilt capitals (although much of the gilt has faded).

The figure is simply decorated - largely in white with gilt highlights - but with excellent colour and depth to the face and hair, and overglaze black accentuating the bag and boots. The figure boasts a thick, syrupy, blue-tinged gilt which has pooled in the figure’s well moulded creases.

The figure is in very good condition with no damage or loss. The overglaze black of both boots and bag has been retouched, reasonably discreetly. There are some original firing flaws but none which detract from the figure’s appeal.

Reference: P. D. Gordon Pugh, Staffordshire Portrait Figures, p. H576, pl. 7, fig. 19

Height: 16.5”

Date: c. 1860

A very appealing figure, possibly attributable to the Alpha Factory, depicting the character Giaffier from a dramatisation of Lord Byron’s The Bride of Abydos.

The Bride of Abydos was dramatised in 1818 (five years after Byron wrote the poem) by William Diamond and it was a popular production during the first half of the 19th century. The role of Giaffier was originally performed by an actor by the name of H. Johnston and it is possible that this figure was produced according to an 1824 theatrical portrait of Johnston in character. However, the costume is markedly different and it is generally thought to be more likely that the actor portrayed in the figure is Mr Barton who played the role at Astley’s Circus in 1847 (which would fit with the age of the figure).

This colourful and intricate figure displays excellently and is in good - though imperfect - condition. A firing flaw runs laterally across the base and a few inches up the back of the figure (not visible from the front). There are other discreet firing flaws such as across Barton’s neck. The orange of the turban has been retouched.

Reference: P. D. Gordon Pugh, Staffordshire Portrait Figures, p. E432, pl. 26, fig. 57

Height: 8”

Date: c. 1847

Provenance: The Alan D. Sturrock Collection

A rare and very unusual early pearlware figure depicting a castle with many turrets fashioned as a spill vase.

The castle is decorated in the round, the same on each side. It is canary yellow with brown windows, brown doors, and red brick steps. The brick texture of the castle walls is very nicely modelled. Each turret is topped with square bricks.

The number ‘60’ is painted on the bottom of the base. An old label affixed to the underside says: ‘Example of this castle, impressed mark ‘Dixon Austin’ at Bowes Museum. Cat. No. X 3574’.

The figure presents well but most of the squares atop the turrets have been restored. There are some nibbles to both the original and replaced squares. Chips to the red brick steps have been overpainted to conceal the loss, and some of the enamel windows have been retouched. Therefore, this very fragile castle is offered as found with repair and restoration - a lovely display but not in original condition.

Reference: Myrna Schkolne, Staffordshire Figures 1780 - 1840: Volume Four, p. 67, fig. 149.24

Height: 5”

Date: c. 1825

An exceptionally fine, large and desirable figure depicting the Scottish poet Robert Burns.

Burns stands with book in his right hand which rests on a tree stump. He holds a hat in his left hand. He wears a cobalt jacket, pink breeches, yellow and magenta striped waistcoat, and a plaid around his shoulders. Thistles grow up the side of the trunk. The title of the figure - ROBt BURNS’ - is written in stylised raised black capitals on the irregularly shaped base.

The figure makes for a very impressive display and is probably the best titled Burns portrait figure recorded. It is offered in very good condition with only a very small superficial chip to the corner of the plaid by Burns’ left hand. There is a chip to the base (viewer’s right) but this is under the slip and glaze so is a modelling error rather than post-production damage.

Reference: A. & N. Harding, Victorian Staffordshire Figures 1835 - 1875: Book One, p. 35, fig. 57

Height: 13”

Date: c. 1860s

A charming and very rare group figure depicting John Anderson and his wife, the subjects of Robert Burns’ poem John Anderson, My Jo.

This figure is part of a rare series of Alpha Factory figures depicting John Anderson and his wife at various stages of life. Another example - depicting John Anderson alone - is listed elsewhere on this site.

The figure presents very well and is in good restored condition. There is reasonably good restoration to the wife’s right arm. There are some firing flaws to the top of the wife’s hat. Otherwise, the figure is excellent.

Reference: A. & N. Harding, Victorian Staffordshire Figures 1835 - 1875: Book Three, p. 81, fig. a974A

Height: 6”

Date: c. 1845