A rare, unusual, and fine figure depicting a regally dressed man sitting on a throne with a lion and unicorn at his feet.
The man wears a cobalt jacket with white and gilt epaulettes, a sash, white trousers, and a plumed cocked hat athwartships. He rests his left foot on a yellow footrest. A brown unicorn lies at his right foot, and a brown lion at his left. The scene is modelled on a circular stepped base with a gilt band.
There has been much speculation as to the subject of the figure. It is known to pair with a similar figure of Queen Victoria (identifiable as a pair by the presence of the lion and unicorn) and it may be assumed that the figure is Prince Albert. However, Pugh suggests that the depiction of the man wearing a cocked hat athwartships and the absence of a moustache make it unlikely that he is intended to be Prince Albert (although some versions of this figure may be found with a moustache which complicates the business of identification). Pugh posits that the figure may be King Louis-Philippe of France, made to commemorate his visit to Britain in 1844 (returning a visit Queen Victoria made to France the previous year). Whether the figure depicts Louis-Philippe or Prince Albert, the presence of the ‘real life’ heraldic beasts makes this a very unusual and compelling figure.
The figure is nicely decorated with good colours and texture in the face. epaulettes, and beasts.
It is offered in very good condition. There is highly proficient, professional restoration to the nose and possibly to the plume of the hat as well. There is a small chip to the underside of the (viewer’s) right side of the hat but this is not visible except when looking at the figure from below.
Reference: P. D. Gordon Pugh, Staffordshire Portrait Figures, p. A139, pl. 18, fig. 49
Height: 7”
Date: c. 1844
A rare, unusual, and fine figure depicting a regally dressed man sitting on a throne with a lion and unicorn at his feet.
The man wears a cobalt jacket with white and gilt epaulettes, a sash, white trousers, and a plumed cocked hat athwartships. He rests his left foot on a yellow footrest. A brown unicorn lies at his right foot, and a brown lion at his left. The scene is modelled on a circular stepped base with a gilt band.
There has been much speculation as to the subject of the figure. It is known to pair with a similar figure of Queen Victoria (identifiable as a pair by the presence of the lion and unicorn) and it may be assumed that the figure is Prince Albert. However, Pugh suggests that the depiction of the man wearing a cocked hat athwartships and the absence of a moustache make it unlikely that he is intended to be Prince Albert (although some versions of this figure may be found with a moustache which complicates the business of identification). Pugh posits that the figure may be King Louis-Philippe of France, made to commemorate his visit to Britain in 1844 (returning a visit Queen Victoria made to France the previous year). Whether the figure depicts Louis-Philippe or Prince Albert, the presence of the ‘real life’ heraldic beasts makes this a very unusual and compelling figure.
The figure is nicely decorated with good colours and texture in the face. epaulettes, and beasts.
It is offered in very good condition. There is highly proficient, professional restoration to the nose and possibly to the plume of the hat as well. There is a small chip to the underside of the (viewer’s) right side of the hat but this is not visible except when looking at the figure from below.
Reference: P. D. Gordon Pugh, Staffordshire Portrait Figures, p. A139, pl. 18, fig. 49
Height: 7”
Date: c. 1844
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