Collecting Staffordshire Figures - Staffordshire Figure Association

COLLECTING STAFFORDSHIRE FIGURES

For many, if you hear the term Staffordshire Figure, you might be forgiven for immediately thinking of the chimney dogs, sometimes referred to as “wally dogs”, that so often stood either side of the fireplace or on the mantelpiece of an elderly relative’s house.

In reality, those dogs are indeed Staffordshire but do not truly represent the very large number of varied pieces of pottery that fall into the definition of Staffordshire figures.

A brief History

Pottery figures have been made by the Staffordshire potters for many years. Perhaps the earliest were the Pew Groups. These are a rare type of pottery figure made in the 1740s. Typically, it has two or three rigidly posed figures sitting on a high-backed bench usually with a woman sitting in the centre; great attention was paid to the details of the hair and clothing. Potting became more sophisticated in the 1750s and 1760s with the development of what are now called Astbury and Whieldon ware. It is impossible to attribute any piece of this early pottery to a particular pot bank (manufacturer) with any certainty. The pieces are distinctly designed and decorated in muted browns, greens, and creams, similar to agate and tortoiseshell.

Courtesy of John Howard

John Astbury (1688-1743) was credited with innovations and improvements in earthenware associated with Staffordshire Figures. Thomas Whieldon (17191795) also played a leading role in the development of Staffordshire pottery and Whieldon pieces were very distinctively decorated.

Between the years 1780 and 1840, the Staffordshire potters

“THESE VICTORIAN POTTERS WERE VERY ENTREPRENEURIAL AND THEY MODELLED AND MADE FIGURES THAT REPRESENTED LIFE AT THAT TIME."

became more numerous and the figures were further developed and sophisticated. We are now in the times of some of the very greatest Staffordshire potting names such as Ralph and Enoch Wood, Sherratt, Walton, Salt and Tittensor. These potters introduced both greater colour and modelling detail into their figures and many of them had very beautiful bocages behind the pottery models to show them off to their best.

However, the heyday of the Staffordshire pottery movement must be the Victorian period between 1840 and 1875, when thousands upon thousands of figures were made in the small potting kilns that seemed to abound in the back yards of all the rows of back to back dwellings in the Potteries region of Stoke-on-Trent. These Victorian potters were very entrepreneurial and they modelled and made figures that represented life at that time. Many figures were politicians or other notable characters whose names and faces had appeared in both magazines of the time, notably The Illustrated London News, or play bills for theatre productions. Some of the figures produced were of the highest quality but many were simply run-of-the-mill produced at little cost to decorate the homes of the ever increasing lower and middle class population of the country.

Cost

We turn now to collecting these figures and their cost and investment potential. Early figures (and by this I refer to those pre1780) are rare and seldom seen. For this reason, one can certainly expect to pay thousands of pounds for a figure.

As we move to figures dated between 1780 and 1840, good and rare figures might once again cost in excess of a thousand pounds and somewhat more for those that are really scarce and in good condition.

Victorian figures probably fall into a different category. Firstly, there are many more of them and a good number the buyer will find have been broken and often badly repaired or restored. It is fair to say that finding a undamaged Staffordshire figure is a rarity. However, many have been damaged and very well restored - in fact, so well that it would be impossible to spot with an untrained eye. Secondly, it depends very much what you buy. There are certain figures that are known rarities and therefore desirable which will command high prices whether or not they are damaged or perfect. There are however, many that one might regard as middle range in terms of rarity, and these are usually priced more moderately. Finally, there are the very common figures which one can pick up very cheaply. These would not be the type of figures I would recommend one necessarily buys, as they are very unlikely to be a sound investment. In the last two decades of the 1900s and indeed the very early years of this millennium, Staffordshire pottery was incredibly popular and commanded good prices. However, the last 10 to 15 years and in line with the general trend of antique brown furniture and the contemporary look of clean white lines, Staffordshire figures have declined in popularity and value and so it could be said that from a buying perspective it is a very good time to buy.

My advice would be always try to buy not only what you like, but also the best. As a new collector, I would rely on the advice of a reputable dealer or a friendly Staffordshire Figure collector. Figures that are in good condition and are rarer models will always command the higher prices.

Buying at auction can be problematic on three counts. Firstly, the auctioneers often have little or no knowledge of what they are selling. Secondly, the auction houses have a tendency to lot large numbers of figures together which can be very off-putting for a buyer who may only want one or perhaps two figures in a lot. Thirdly, and sadly, some auction houses are not good at giving accurate condition reports which are vital, particularly where the buyer is either inexperienced or buying online and where viewing the auction lots prior to the sale has not been possible.

There is also an active market for figures on eBay but once again the message is “caveat emptor”. Apart from condition issues eBay vendors often sell reproduction pieces which can be very good.

What to collect?

The important thing is to buy what you like. I, for example, have no particular theme to my collection which I have built up over some 50 years. I have just bought figures that I like and am happy to live with that bring me great pleasure on a daily basis.

If you were to collect Victorian Staffordshire Figures and you felt that you might like to follow a theme, I would suggest the following:-

Animals. There are many animal models; for example farm animals, zoo and wild animals, birds and of course dogs. The chimney dog is based on a King Charles Spaniel (Dash) who was the lap dog of Queen Victoria…. but there are many others, in particular whippets and greyhounds, terriers and hunting dogs. Politicians. Imagine having a pottery figure of Boris Johnson on your parlour sideboard!! Very many of the British politicians of the time were modelled; for example, Lord Melbourne, Gladstone and Disraeli, to mention but a few.

Theatre Figures. The Victorians were being treated to public productions of both theatre and opera, and figures of the actors and singers were produced and sold outside the theatres and music halls as keepsakes for those attending.

Crimean War Figures. The Crimean War (1853-1856), was a very significant event of the Victorian period and there are many figures manufactured to commemorate that. These include the military commanders on all sides of the conflict and, of course, the darling of our forces, Florence Nightingale. Religious figures. Many religious figures, from both the Old and New Testament, were made as well as preachers of the time, such as the American Evangelists Moody and Sankey.

Famous Figures from History. Figures were not limited to personalities living at the time and there are representations of Thomas Potter Cook, the tales of Tom Sawyer, previous kings and military personnel.

Sporting Figures. There are many figures of the early sports of bear baiting and bull baiting, and there are very sought-after figures of pugilists such as Cribb and Molyneux or Heenan and Sayers.

Equestrian figures. There are many figures of people whether Military or otherwise, and these make an excellent subject for a collection.

Royalty. There were many figures made of Prince Albert, Queen Victoria and their children as well as the extended family from around Europe.

The list could be endless, but I think it is true to say that Staffordshire Figures display best en masse rather than individual figures sitting on their own… another excellent reason to start a collection.

Books

It is always good to have something to refer to and there are many publications on the subject. However most serious collectors will refer to:

• Myrna Schkolne’s excellent four books

“Staffordshire Figures 1780 -1840“

• Captain P.D. Pugh’s “Staffordshire

Portrait Figures”

• Harding’s five publications

“Staffordshire Figures 1835-1875”

In addition, I would also recommend the two publications by the late lamented Kensington Church Street dealer Oliver Sutton. These are titled “The Victorian Staffordshire Figure” and “The Tribal Art of England“. These books rather than being directories, as with the previous publications I mention, are a real insight into the whole history of the Staffordshire Potter and his wares.

The Staffordshire Figure Association

This small and welcoming group caters for the Staffordshire Figure enthusiast and for a small annual fee (less than £50 annually) will give any potential collector access to a quarterly newsletter, a list of specialist Staffordshire dealers, access to other members both in the UK and globally, and an annual gathering each year in either the US or the UK to visit private Staffordshire collections and the like. Please visit www.staffordshirefigureassociation. com for further details and membership application.

I am always happy to answer questions on Staffordshire figure related topics.

Acknowledgements for Photographs of figures: Mostly from my own collection, Wikipedia (Pew Group) or John Howard of Heritage (Astbury/Whieldon)

Alan Sturrock – President, Staffordshire Figure Association Email: adsturrock@btinternet.com