Maria Foote as Arinette in 'The Little Jockey' (restored)

A very rare figure depicting the actress Maria Foote in the role of Arinette in the comic opera The Little Jockey.

The figure (of which earlier pearlware versions exist too) is styled after penny plain, tuppence coloured theatrical portrait by Orlando Hodgson, no. 70 - titled MISS FOOTE as the LITTLE JOCKEY.

Foote is resplendent in a colourful jockey’s cap, long green jacket, striped waistcoat, breeches, and knee boots. She holds a whip in her right hand.

This figure would originally have been modelled with a hole in the right hand into which a non-pottery whip could be inserted.

The figure presents well but has been subject to extensive repair so the following must be noted: The entire right arm has been restored with reasonable proficiency - whether the whip included in the figure is original or fashioned during restoration I cannot say, so it may be safer to assume it is a later addition. The ‘whip’ has also been repaired since restoration. The neck has been repaired. There was probably an ornament of sorts on Foote’s cap, but this has been lost and the cap’s ‘button’ finished in black to conceal the presence of loss. Some superficial flakes to the jacket have been discretely and effectively overpainted.

Despite these flaws (which are reflected in the price), this represents a good opportunity to own an exceedingly rare and desirable figure which displays very nicely, despite its imperfections, at an affordable rate.

Reference: P. D. Gordon Pugh, Staffordshire Portrait Figures, p. E428, pl. 17, fig. 39

Height: 6.25”

Date: c. 1835

Provenance: A substantial, high-quality private collection, name unknown. (The former owner’s reference label has been left attached should the buyer be able to identify other figures from the same collection.)