Figure of the month

Saint George and the dragon

June 2016

The pot bank of Enoch Wood and James Caldwell made this splendidly painted figure of Saint George and the dragon some time between 1805 (when silver lustre was introduced commercially) and 1818 (when the Wood & Caldwell partnership dissolved). Wood & Caldwell made this figure in two sizes, this being the larger.

Jacobus de Voragine’s popular medieval book of hagiographies tells the story of Saint George and the dragon. A beautiful princess was to be sacrificed to an evil dragon, but Saint George, after making the sign of the cross, slayed the dragon with his lance — and it is in this pose that Saint George is traditionally shown. 

More Figures of the month

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. 

Elizabeth Barrett Browning

July 2024

This is a rare Staffordshire figure of a woman seated on a couch, with her dog beside her.  It is generally believed to represent Elizabeth Barrett Browning, and her dog Flush. This figure stands about 5 ¼” tall and dates to approximately 1846-1850.

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