A truly exceptional large figure depicting St George, Patron Saint of England, slaying the mythical dragon.
St George, wearing a peach-coloured tunic, white trousers, sandals, billowing orange cape, and a crested helmet sits astride a large, rearing piebald horse. He is armed with a long spear. He targets the head of a turquoise dragon with a fearsome mouth, reptilian crest, fins, and long claws. The scene is depicted on a white, rocky base, beneath which the title ‘ST GEORGE’ is written in gilt serif capital letters.
Several elements of the figure - the horse’s legs, St George’s left arm, and the dragon’s head are independently modelled.
The Staffordshire potters produced a huge number of different St George forms from the middle of the 18th century onwards. This mid-19th century example is thought to be the only Staffordshire St George form modelled facing left.
This hugely popular figure is of excellent quality - a superb composition and beautifully modelled and decorated.
The figure displays fantastically. The top of the spear has been reattached though this is practically unnoticeable. There are some lateral firing flaws in the base - a manufacturing quirk - possibly a consequence of the weight of the figure. There is some professional touching up to the horse’s black spots. This is all I can detect, though I cannot altogether out the possibility of other professional restoration.
Reference: A. & N. Harding, Victorian Staffordshire Figures 1835 - 1875: Book One, p. 329, fig. 1209
Height: 11.25”
Date: c. 1850
Provenance: Formerly stock of Alan Wood, Annexe Antiques, Tunbridge Wells
A truly exceptional large figure depicting St George, Patron Saint of England, slaying the mythical dragon.
St George, wearing a peach-coloured tunic, white trousers, sandals, billowing orange cape, and a crested helmet sits astride a large, rearing piebald horse. He is armed with a long spear. He targets the head of a turquoise dragon with a fearsome mouth, reptilian crest, fins, and long claws. The scene is depicted on a white, rocky base, beneath which the title ‘ST GEORGE’ is written in gilt serif capital letters.
Several elements of the figure - the horse’s legs, St George’s left arm, and the dragon’s head are independently modelled.
The Staffordshire potters produced a huge number of different St George forms from the middle of the 18th century onwards. This mid-19th century example is thought to be the only Staffordshire St George form modelled facing left.
This hugely popular figure is of excellent quality - a superb composition and beautifully modelled and decorated.
The figure displays fantastically. The top of the spear has been reattached though this is practically unnoticeable. There are some lateral firing flaws in the base - a manufacturing quirk - possibly a consequence of the weight of the figure. There is some professional touching up to the horse’s black spots. This is all I can detect, though I cannot altogether out the possibility of other professional restoration.
Reference: A. & N. Harding, Victorian Staffordshire Figures 1835 - 1875: Book One, p. 329, fig. 1209
Height: 11.25”
Date: c. 1850
Provenance: Formerly stock of Alan Wood, Annexe Antiques, Tunbridge Wells
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