Large Staffordshire Elephant, c. 1880
About the Item
- Creator:Staffordshire (Maker)
- Dimensions:Height: 11 in (27.94 cm)Width: 14 in (35.56 cm)Depth: 5 in (12.7 cm)
- Style:Victorian (Of the Period)
- Materials and Techniques:Pottery,Glazed
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:c.1880
- Condition:Overall very good original condition; no faults noted.
- Seller Location:Pasadena, CA
- 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: Pasadena, CA
- Return PolicyA return for this item may be initiated within 2 days of delivery.
- Pair of Large Staffordshire Bull and Cow, Early 19th CenturyBy StaffordshireLocated in Pasadena, CAThis is a very rare pair of large Staffordshire bull and cow animal figures that date to circa 1810. Both figures are in exceptionally good conditio...Category
Antique Early 19th Century English Regency Animal Sculptures
MaterialsPottery
- Pair Large Staffordshire Dairy Cow FiguresLocated in Pasadena, CAThis is a very large and unusual pair of mid-19th century Victorian Staffordshire Dairy Cows that were originally used as trade signs in a milk shop. The inscription at the base of the figures reads "Milk Sold Here". Both pieces are in very good condition with one base showing a minor crack on the internal rim. These Staffordshire cows...Category
Antique Mid-19th Century English Victorian Animal Sculptures
MaterialsPottery
- Pair of 19th Century Staffordshire Recumbent LionsLocated in Pasadena, CAThis is a charming pair of late 19th century Staffordshire recumbent lions. These handsome beasts are in overall excellent condition and ...Category
Antique Late 19th Century English High Victorian Animal Sculptures
MaterialsPottery, Glass
- Leather Clad Elephant SculptureLocated in Pasadena, CAThis a great example of a mid-20th century, circa 1950s, Elephant sculpture. The elephant has been eloquently detailed with all of his wondrous wrinkles and glass eyes. The leather e...Category
Mid-20th Century Anglo-Indian Animal Sculptures
MaterialsLeather
- Leather Elephant Sculpture IILocated in Pasadena, CAThis is the second and slightly smaller of two c. 1950s leather clad elephants. This charming guy is in very good original condition--he maintain...Category
Mid-20th Century Anglo Raj Animal Sculptures
MaterialsLeather
- Large Carved Bust of African ManLocated in Pasadena, CAThis is an exceptionally well-carved portrait bust of an African man dating to the mid-20th century. The bust is carved from a single piece of mahogany; th...Category
Early 20th Century African Folk Art Sculptures and Carvings
MaterialsMahogany
- Large Staffordshire Pottery Porcellaneous PoodleBy StaffordshireLocated in Chelmsford, EssexStaffordshire Pottery porcellaneous figure which features a poodle in a playful pose, crouched on a rectangular base. The base has leaf molding around the sides and has two dull gilt...Category
Antique 1850s English Victorian Figurative Sculptures
MaterialsPorcelain
- Rare Large Staffordshire Pottery Otter Hunter Spill VaseBy StaffordshireLocated in Chelmsford, EssexStaffordshire spill vase with a hunting theme which features an otter hunter, his dogs and an otter impaled on his spear. Multi-coloured with ...Category
Antique 1860s English Victorian Figurative Sculptures
MaterialsEarthenware
- Large Staffordshire Red Riding Hood and Wolf FigureBy StaffordshireLocated in Chelmsford, EssexStaffordshire pottery figure with a theatrical and literary theme which features red riding hood, with a wolf beside her, seated on a circular base. Dull gilt base line and embellish...Category
Antique 1860s English 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
- Wonderful Pair Large Staffordshire Porcelain Off White and Terracotta SpanielsBy StaffordshireLocated in Hopewell, NJClassic stately pair of Staffordshire porcelain spaniel dogs having black eyes and details with off white color and terracotta snout a...Category
Vintage 1950s English Victorian Animal Sculptures
MaterialsPorcelain
- Staffordshire Porcellaneous Rabbit FigureBy StaffordshireLocated in Chelmsford, EssexStaffordshire Pottery porcellaneous figure which features a rabbit, recumbent on an oval base. Dull gilt embellishment. Decorated 'in the round' - decoration to front and reverse. Op...Category
Antique 1840s English Victorian Animal Sculptures
MaterialsPottery