William Shakespeare
This is a gilt script titled figure of William Shakespeare with his right arm resting on a book atop a pedestal. Next to the pedestal is a sloped watch holder with a clock face painted inside, sitting atop a tree decorated with grapes. Similar figures are shown in Pugh’s Staffordshire Portrait Figures, page 495, and Harding Victorian Staffordshire Figures, Book Three, page 43. The figures shown in both books are mainly decorated in white, but our Figure of the Month is well coloured, a much rarer example. This figure is approximately 9 1/2” tall and dates to around 1860. It pairs with a similar figure of John Milton, a coloured version of which is not recorded.
More Figures of the month
Children on Saint Bernard dogs
This is a very rare pair of children seated sideways on Saint Bernards. More common figures have the children laying down or seated facing forward. Others have the rear arms moulded into the figures, instead of being separately moulded as these are. These figures are approximately 10” tall and date to around 1840-1850.
King of Sardinia
This is a rare figure of Victor Emmanuel II, the King of Sardinia and later the first King of Italy. The figure is titled with gold accented raised capitals, stands approximately 12 3/4” tall, and dates to about 1855. It is probably a Crimean war figure, with Emmanuel being shown in military uniform.
Bluebeard and Fatima
This is a rare figure of Bluebeard and Fatima, approximately 12 1/2” tall, dating to 1858. Bluebeard is easily recognized with his blue beard. He stands upright with a knife in his right hand and left hand on his hip. Fatima is kneeling before Bluebeard with eyes cast upward toward him, hands folded in a prayer-like position.
Napoleon Bonaparte
This is a very rare figure of Napoleon Bonaparte, approximately 8 ¼” tall, dating to about 1840. He stands with arms crossed next to a pedestal with a cloak draped over it. The base is decorated with an interesting marble effect, and it bears the title “N”.
Fox and monkey
What an interesting figure of a fox and monkey, 4 3/4” tall. The figure is rare and probably represents one of Aesop’s Fables called “The Fox and the Monkey”.
It is circa 1840, partially painted in the round, and has a solid base.
Unidentified man and woman
This is an interesting figure of a man and a woman, 7 ½” tall. It would be unremarkable if not for the head peering out from behind the man’s left leg.
