Staffordshire Antique Pair Figures with Baskets Containing Flowers
About the Item
- Creator:Staffordshire (Maker)
- Dimensions:Height: 8.67 in (22 cm)Width: 3.55 in (9 cm)Depth: 3.55 in (9 cm)
- Sold As:Set of 2
- Style:Victorian (Of the Period)
- Materials and Techniques:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:circa 1850
- Condition:Wear consistent with age and use.
- Seller Location:Bishop's Stortford, GB
- Reference Number:
Staffordshire
Thanks to its reserves of clay, lead, salt and coal, Staffordshire, England, has been a center for ceramics since the early 17th century. The county was home at one time to hundreds of pottery workshops and as many as 4,000 bottle-shaped kilns that operated year-round. The term “Staffordshire Potteries” refers to the industrial area of Stoke-on-Trent — comprising the towns Burslem, Fenton, Hanley, Longton, Stoke and Tunstall — where most of the production was concentrated.
In 1720, potter John Astbury discovered that he could make what would later be called creamware by adding ground flint powder to the local red clay. Because resources were so plentiful in Staffordshire, local potters could afford to experiment, working to refine their techniques and designs. One such innovator was Thomas Whieldon, an important 18th-century potter known today for his tortoiseshell ware, whose brilliant glazed surface of caramel, yellow and green hues was made with copper and manganese compounds. Whieldon operated the Fenton Low workshop, making coffee- and teapots, dinner services and even ornamental knife hafts. He was an influential figure: Josiah Spode apprenticed at the workshop, and Josiah Wedgwood partnered with Whieldon for five years before establishing his eponymous firm in 1759.
Wedgwood is perhaps the best known of the Staffordshire potters. The firm produced a line of light-colored earthenware for Queen Charlotte, who liked it so much that she granted permission to market it under the moniker Queen’s Ware, which despite the name, was designed for everyday use. In the same regal vein, in 1773, Wedgwood created the 954-piece Frog service for Catherine the Great, of Russia. The company is also known for its black stoneware, Black Basalt, which imitates the color and shapes of Etruscan vases; Jasperware, with its classical reliefs applied on the unglazed body; and pearlware.
By the end of the 18th century, Staffordshire was the primary producer of ceramics for the American colonies, even creating patriotic wares celebrating independence for this market. The imagery on Staffordshire ceramics became more standardized the mid-18th century with the advent of transferware, in which a design etched on a copper plate is printed on tissue paper, which is then used to transfer the wet ink onto the ceramic surface. This technique enabled artisans to decorate their wares with complex scenes that wrapped around an object’s surface and make several copies of popular patterns.
The Staffordshire potters also produced decorative figurines, such as this charming pair of cows dating from the 19th century. Particularly popular in Great Britain were pieces with hunting imagery, such as this George IV porcelain stirrup cup in the shape of a fox head wearing a gilt collar inscribed with the word “Tallyho.” Among the many whimsical vessels produced is this mid-19th-century frog mug. The exterior is painted with a charming scene of people picking fruit on one side and ladies on a garden swing on the other side, while inside a molded frog’s head at the bottom of the mug makes a gurgling sound when the the beverage has been almost completely consumed.
- ShippingRetrieving quote...Ships From: Bishop's Stortford, United Kingdom
- Return PolicyA return for this item may be initiated within 14 days of delivery.
- Austrian Pair Antique Terracotta Match Holder Striker FiguresLocated in Bishop's Stortford, HertfordshireA fine pair Austrian antique terracotta figural match holders and strikers dating from around 1890. The figures comprised of one modeled as a girl carrying a basket on her back with ...Category
Antique 1890s Austrian Victorian Ceramics
MaterialsTerracotta
- Staffordshire Mr & Mrs Gladstone Pair Political Portrait Pottery FiguresBy StaffordshireLocated in Bishop's Stortford, HertfordshireA rare pair Staffordshire pottery political figures titled Mr & Mrs Gladstone and dating from the latter 19th century. The cast figures portray prime minister William Ewart Gladstone...Category
Antique Late 19th Century English Late Victorian Figurative Sculptures
MaterialsPottery
- Staffordshire English Pottery Figure of a Girl with a Large SheepBy StaffordshireLocated in Bishop's Stortford, HertfordshireA fine and scarce antique English Staffordshire figure of a girl with a very large sheep dating from the mid 19th century. The figure stands on molded rock...Category
Antique Mid-19th Century English Early Victorian Animal Sculptures
MaterialsPottery
- Stephanie Kalan Studio Pottery Two Small Penguin FiguresLocated in Bishop's Stortford, HertfordshireA rare and unusual vintage studio pottery small penguin figures Stephanie Kalan (1909-1978) probably dating from around 1950. The hand crafted figures ...Category
Mid-20th Century English Mid-Century Modern Ceramics
MaterialsPottery
- Antique Staffordshire Pearlware Shepherd & Sheep Ribbon PlateLocated in Bishop's Stortford, HertfordshireA very fine antique English Staffordshire pearlware blue and white plate decorated with a shepherd with his sheep dating from around 1820. The...Category
Antique 1820s English Regency Pitchers
MaterialsCeramic
- Old Hall Drabware Ceramic Jug with Female Cardinal Virtues FiguresBy Old Hall Earthenware Co.Located in Bishop's Stortford, HertfordshireVery unusual and rare English earthenware drabware jug finely molded in relief with female figures portraying six of the Cardinal virtues made by Old Hall Earthenware Co...Category
Antique 19th Century English Victorian Pitchers
MaterialsEarthenware
- Pair of Late Staffordshire Recumbent Figures of DalmatiansBy StaffordshireLocated in West Palm Beach, FLPair of late Staffordshire Recumbent figures Dalmatians USA, 20th 1950s A good pair of a later Staffordshire hand painted and enameled porcelain figures of reclining Dalmatians....Category
Mid-20th Century English High Victorian Animal Sculptures
MaterialsPorcelain
- Pair of Antique Victorian Staffordshire FiguresLocated in Suffolk, GBPair of antique Victorian Staffordshire figures of two ladies in period clothing riding colourful horse’s on oval shaped bases. In l...Category
Antique 19th Century European Victorian Ceramics
MaterialsCeramic
- Pair of Antique English Staffordshire Zebras FigurinesLocated in Pearland, TXA superb pair of antique English Staffordshire zebra figurines, circa 1920. These charming zebras are hand painted with fine details and would be p...Category
Vintage 1920s English Animal Sculptures
MaterialsCeramic
- Quality pair of antique Victorian Staffordshire highland figuresLocated in Ipswich, GBQuality pair of antique Victorian Staffordshire highland figures having a quality pair of antique Victorian staffordshire highland figures in traditional clothing hand painted in won...Category
Antique Early 19th Century Victorian Ceramics
MaterialsPottery
- Pair of English Staffordshire Porcelain Standing LionsLocated in Rio Vista, CACharming pair of English Staffordshire porcelain lions depicted standing opposing each other. Decorated over a light cream ground with parcel gilt accents and glass eyes. More rare a...Category
20th Century English Edwardian Animal Sculptures
MaterialsGlass, Porcelain
- 19th Century English Staffordshire Hunter with Dog, Rabbits and GameLocated in Stamford, CTWonderful large-scale Staffordshire group of a dapper hunter wearing a fancy feathered hat leaning on a tree trunk holding rabbits and game, his hunting dog looking up at him longingly, his rifle on the ground in front. Utterly delightful, the hunter in his flowery vest, his dog looking so earnest. A charming portrait of early Victorian life. Great Year of the Rabbit...Category
Antique Mid-19th Century English Victorian Ceramics
MaterialsCeramic
Recently Viewed
View AllRead More
How Do You Authenticate and Care for an Yves Saint Laurent Handbag?
When it comes to the legendary French design house, there is no substitute for true craftsmanship. Xupes shows us how to spot it.
The Personal Luxury Goods Market amid COVID-19
1stDibs dealers discuss the challenges of this unprecedented time, and the signs of hope.