The Staffordshire potters were nothing but entrepreneurial, always seizing on an idea or event to commemorate and make money. Why then were no figures made to recognise the celebration of Christmas? Alan Sturrock offers some alternatives for the festive season.

In December, Sarah Gillett re-imagines the English carol “The Twelve Days of Christmas” through Staffordshire figures. Variations of the folk song have circulated around the world since the late 1700s, including bulls a-baiting, bulls a-roaring, ships a-sailing, hares a-running, men a-mowing, cocks a-crowing and bells a-ringing, but this version is based on Frederic Austin’s 1909 arrangement.

Can you really start a collection of 19th century Staffordshire on a budget of £25 per figure? Kelvin Gillett finds out…

Every month since 2015 we have chosen a Staffordshire figure to feature – it may be unusual, rare, have an interesting story, or might just be one of our favourites.

In honour of World Tiger Day, Alan Jamieson reminds us of the ferocious nature of big cats and the macabre allure of the Staffordshire figure ‘The Death of Munrow’, inspired by a fatal tiger attack in 1792.

Gordon Pugh is the man who everyone turns to first when investigating the provenance of a Staffordshire portrait figure. “Is it in Pugh?” tends to be the first question. If the answer is ‘Yes, Pugh has it’ the inquisitor breathes a sigh of relief. ‘No’ means there’s doubt and disappointment.

So who is this Pugh person who dominates collectors’ lives? Alan Jamieson bravely steps into the role of investigator to find out.