Staffordshire Figures

Staffordshire Figures

Type of pottery figurine made in Staffordshire from the 18th century. The earliest figures, made from about 1740, are naïve but effective renderings of the human body in salt-glazed stoneware - e.g., the pew groups, or figures seated on a high-backed settle.

Later some particularly happy effects were achieved in clouded, lead-glazed earthenware in which a subdued range of watery-looking colours-yellow, green, pale brown, and several grays-was used. Musicians, animals, shepherds, classical deities, allegorical figures, and portraits were in the repertoire.

Among known artists are the potters Ralph Wood, Sr., and Ralph Wood, Jr., and the modeler Jean Voyez.

Nineteenth-century figures, mostly portraits of English and American personages, such as Queen Victoria and George Washington, were often vivacious and colourful but rather crude. Most 19^th-century figures were theatrical in origin, and these are very much sought, but politicians, preachers, sportsmen, and criminals were all popular subjects.

questions / comments? email Steve Birks steveb@netcentral.co.uk