Figure of the month

​Reading Maid

​Courtesy Castle Antiques
August 2020

In the early 1800s, feeble improvements in England’s ramshackle educational system coupled with an ever-growing supply of affordable reading matter resulted in the explosive growth of the reading public. Children were not the only new readers; many uneducated adults strove to acquire reading skills.

​Homes proudly displayed earthenware figures of people absorbed in books and this proclaimed the family as being amongst the educated class.

This figure is 7.3 inches tall. See Schkolne Staffordshire Figures 1780-1840 Volume 1, page 97, figure 25.42.

​Courtesy Castle Antiques

More Figures of the month

Royal children seated

January 2025

This is a very rare pair of Staffordshire figures representing the Princess Royal and the Prince of Wales, seated in chairs. Each figure is approximately 5” tall and dates to about 1845.

Queen Victoria

December 2024

This is a rare Staffordshire figure of Queen Victoria, standing 8 3/4” tall and dating to approximately 1855. The Queen stands holding the staff of a flag in her left hand and a scroll in her right hand. 

Victor Emmanuel II

November 2024

This is a rare Staffordshire military figure of Victor Emmanuel II, standing 17” tall, dating to approximately 1855. It is titled in gold, raised capital letters, “KING OF SARDINIA”.

Dr Dulcamara and Adina

October 2024

This is a rare pair of Staffordshire theatrical figures, standing 8 ½” tall and dating to approximately 1848.  The male character represents Dr Dulcamara, as portrayed by Luigi Lablache, in Donizetti’s comedic melodrama L’elisir d’amore (The Elixir of Love). The female actress, playing the role of Adina, is unidentified. 

John Liston

September 2024

This is an early Staffordshire figure of the actor John Liston, portraying the role of Van Dunder in the play ‘Twould Puzzle a Conjuror’ or ‘The Two Peters’, by John Poole.

Robert Raikes

August 2024

This is a very rare Staffordshire bust of Robert Raikes, an Anglican layman and English philanthropist.  The figure is titled in gilt script as “Founder of the Sunday School”, but it would be more accurate to say he was a pioneer, or promoter, of Sunday Schools. 

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