A monumental figure of thirteenth century hero and Governor of Scotland, Sir William Wallace.
Wallace wears a white jacket, lightly coloured kilt and sash, large sporran, and a plumed hat. He holds a large shield in his left hand and a sword in his right. He stands on a white base with the title ‘WALLACE’ in raised capitals on the base - once picked out in gilt but almost entirely faded in this example.
This larger-than-life figure was a popular subject for the Staffordshire potters and was produced by multiple pot banks with varying degrees of decorative thoroughness. This particular example is relatively sparsely coloured but is structurally appealing.
The figure is in reasonable condition. A chip has been repaired next to Wallace’s right foot. There are some small firing flaws and patches of wear to the glaze (such as on the plume, which is also scuffed), as well as some superficial scuffs to the body commensurate with age. There are patches of debris in parts of the glaze, such as down the length of the sash. Most of the gilt features are faded - the title in particular is almost entirely lost. as is the gilt band on the base. It is important to note that the over-glaze black of the hair, shoes, and sword has been repainted. Ceramic paints have not been used and as such the over-painting will wash away if exposed to water or vigorous wiping. Care should be taken when cleaning the figure as it is likely that the original over-glaze black has flaked extensively. The replacement over-glaze black will not survive attempts to wash the figure.
Reference: A. & N. Harding, Victorian Staffordshire Figures 1835 - 1875: Book One, p. 311, fig. 1142
Height: 17.25”
Date: c. 1860s
A monumental figure of thirteenth century hero and Governor of Scotland, Sir William Wallace.
Wallace wears a white jacket, lightly coloured kilt and sash, large sporran, and a plumed hat. He holds a large shield in his left hand and a sword in his right. He stands on a white base with the title ‘WALLACE’ in raised capitals on the base - once picked out in gilt but almost entirely faded in this example.
This larger-than-life figure was a popular subject for the Staffordshire potters and was produced by multiple pot banks with varying degrees of decorative thoroughness. This particular example is relatively sparsely coloured but is structurally appealing.
The figure is in reasonable condition. A chip has been repaired next to Wallace’s right foot. There are some small firing flaws and patches of wear to the glaze (such as on the plume, which is also scuffed), as well as some superficial scuffs to the body commensurate with age. There are patches of debris in parts of the glaze, such as down the length of the sash. Most of the gilt features are faded - the title in particular is almost entirely lost. as is the gilt band on the base. It is important to note that the over-glaze black of the hair, shoes, and sword has been repainted. Ceramic paints have not been used and as such the over-painting will wash away if exposed to water or vigorous wiping. Care should be taken when cleaning the figure as it is likely that the original over-glaze black has flaked extensively. The replacement over-glaze black will not survive attempts to wash the figure.
Reference: A. & N. Harding, Victorian Staffordshire Figures 1835 - 1875: Book One, p. 311, fig. 1142
Height: 17.25”
Date: c. 1860s
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