Figure of the month

Duke of Wellington

Courtesy Nick Burton English Pottery
January 2021

Wellington was a Field Marshall and elder statesman. He distinguished himself in India and successfully conducted the Peninsula War.

In 1814, he was the British Ambassador in Paris. There followed Napoleon’s escape from Elba and the historic British victory at Waterloo in 1815. From 1828 to 1830 he was Prime Minister. Thereafter he assumed the role of the elder statesman. From 1842 to his death he was commander-in-chief.

​Wellington was the most famous British General of the 19th century and his funeral at St. Paul’s Cathedral was one of the great pageants of history.

This figure is 12 inches tall. See Pugh, page B187, figure 23.

Courtesy Nick Burton English Pottery

More Figures of the month

Black and white spaniels

February 2025

This is fine pair of #1 black and white Staffordshire spaniels. They have a raised number one on the underside, designating them as the largest in a series of six sizes, number six being the smallest.

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.

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