Description: Two early Staffordshire figures. Largest, a ram on landscape mount with a flowering tree. The second is a lion with mane on a white base.

History: Staffordshire figures are earthenware figures made in England, mainly in the county of Staffordshire, but also in other counties and in Scotland. The broadest use of the term would include all earthenware figures made circa 1740 to 1960. The period we cover in our modest introduction to these fascinating objects is from 1780 onwards. Staffordshire designs included all manner of domestic and wild animals, as well as human figures taken from historic or current events. At the time, these figures were sometimes referred to as “image toys” or “chimney ornaments.” Those designed as actual chimney ornaments were produced with a flat rear side intended to be hidden when placed against the mantel wall. Part of the charm of Staffordshire figures is their simple folk style, created mostly by forgotten potters with basic coloring and forms depicting elements of everyday country life. A few artisans working in the Staffordshire region did make figurines in recognizable styles, even though most were unmarked.

Provenance: Arthur J Connolly

Dimensions: Weight (Pounds & Ounces) = 0.5 | Height(in) = 4 | Width(in) = 4 | Depth(in) = 6

Size of Artwork(in): 3.5 x 3 x 1.5" largest.

Artist Name: Stafordshire

Medium: Hard paste.

Circa: 1820 -40

The ram has a factory check underneath by back leg. The lion has some crazing and small amount of paint loss.