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 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
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