Pair of Large Staffordshire Bull and Cow, Early 19th Century
About the Item
- Creator:Staffordshire (Artist)
- Dimensions:Height: 14.25 in (36.2 cm)Width: 17 in (43.18 cm)Depth: 6 in (15.24 cm)
- Sold As:Set of 2
- Style:Regency (Of the Period)
- Materials and Techniques:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:circa 1820-1830
- Condition:Wear consistent with age and use. Overall very good condition. No restorations noted. Very minor scratches which do not affect value of the pieces. Measurement for Cow: 18"w x 6"d x 11"h.
- 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 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
- 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 Early 19th Century Pearlware Obelisks, AssembledLocated in Pasadena, CAThis is an assembled pair of very early 19th century English Staffordshire Pearlware Obelisks that have been fitted as lamps. Minor restorations have been made to the obelisks over t...Category
Antique Early 19th Century English Neoclassical Mounted Objects
MaterialsPottery
- Large Staffordshire Elephant, c. 1880By StaffordshireLocated in Pasadena, CAThis is a very rare and large Staffordshire figure of an Indian elephant on a plinth, dressed in its traditional drapings. The elephant dates to c. 1880 and is in overall very good c...Category
Antique 1880s English Victorian Animal Sculptures
MaterialsPottery
- 19th Century Lead Garden ElementLocated in Pasadena, CAThis is a wonderful example of a late 19th century English lead putti. These English lead figures were traditionally garden elements; but this example is in...Category
Antique Late 19th Century English Neoclassical Figurative Sculptures
MaterialsLead
- 19th Century Capodimonte Petit Putti, Set of FourBy CapodimonteLocated in Pasadena, CAThis is a charming set of 4 charming table decorations of "Frolicking Putti". These four little guys are shown in various playful poses. The figurines are all in good condition. One ...Category
Antique Late 19th Century Italian Baroque Revival Figurative Sculptures
MaterialsPorcelain
- Pair of Early 20th Century English Staffordshire Boy & Girl Cow FigurinesBy StaffordshireLocated in Pearland, TXA superb pair of antique early 20th Century English Staffordshire boy and girl cow figurines. Maker's mark on reverse. These charming figurines feature a finely hand painted lad and ...Category
Early 20th Century English Animal Sculptures
MaterialsCeramic
- Pair Staffordshire Cows and CalvesBy StaffordshireLocated in Maidstone, GBA rare pair of 19th Century Staffordshire cows with their feeding calves, nicely coloured ceramic enamels, made circa 1880. 24 cm (9 inches) long, 20 cm (7.5 inches) high, 12 cm (4....Category
Antique 1880s British Victorian Animal Sculptures
MaterialsCeramic
- Pair of 19th Century Staffordshire Scottish Highlander HuntersBy StaffordshireLocated in Rio Vista, CAHandsome pair of 19th century equestrian Staffordshire porcelain Scottish Highlander hunters on horseback. Each bearded gentleman is depicted seate...Category
Antique 19th Century English Edwardian Figurative Sculptures
MaterialsPorcelain
- Pair of 19th Century English Staffordshire Lions with LambsBy StaffordshireLocated in Austin, TXA handsome pair of English Staffordshire pottery decorative animal sculptures, finely modeled and colored as lions with recumbent lambs. Decorated 'in the round' - decoration to fro...Category
Antique 19th Century English Animal Sculptures
MaterialsEarthenware, Pottery, Paint
- Pair of 19th Century Large Staffordshire SpanielsLocated in Atlanta, GAEnglish, 19th century. A pair of English Staffordshire spaniels in white glaze, black nose and key lock chain to body. 15.25" H.Category
Antique 19th Century British Animal Sculptures
MaterialsCeramic
- Pair of 19th Century Staffordshire DogsLocated in Hastings, GBA seated pair of circa 1860 large Staffordshire dogs, textured coats and very well painted, the faces to resemble Kind Charles II moustached face. These are of great quality and ...Category
Antique 1860s English Early Victorian Animal Sculptures
MaterialsCeramic