Staffordshire Pottery Figure Group: Cow Crossing a Stream with Milkmaid

This charming and large Staffordshire pottery figure group, dating from the Victorian era (circa 1860), depicts a classic scene of rural life.

The model features a cow, painted with naturalistic colors, positioned as if crossing a small stream or stepping through water. Standing beside the cow's head is a milkmaid. Her right arm is gently resting upon the cow's back. A milking pail sits on the ground just behind her.

The entire scene is mounted on a slightly domed base, which is finished in a patchy yellow color, intended to represent the grassy ground or shore.

Dimensions: 7 inches high x 5 3/4 inches wide x 3 inches.

Condition: There is a small hairline on the back of the cow-see photo.

Historical Context: Staffordshire Figures and Idealized Rural Scenes

Staffordshire Earthenware: The production of these figure groups flourished in the Staffordshire potteries throughout the 19th century, becoming the primary source of affordable ceramic figures for the British working and middle classes.
The Pastoral Idyll: The subject of the cow and the milkmaid was one of the most consistently popular themes. In an age of rapid urbanization and industrial change, these figures provided the Victorian public with a romanticized vision of a stable, peaceful, and prosperous rural life. The cow symbolized domesticity, health, and agricultural wealth, while the milkmaid represented the simple, virtuous life of the countryside. This figure group is a piece of Victorian folk art"”accessible, sentimental, and reflective of the era's deep-seated cultural attachment to an idealized pastoral past, offering an appealing contrast to the realities of factory life.

(Ref: NY10558-xam)


Condition:
Alterations: Original Condition Unaltered
Imperfections: Some Imperfections
Condition Notes: Good

Origin:
United Kingdom

Creator:
Brand: Staffordshire

Materials & Techniques:
Pottery

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Original Condition Unaltered; Some Imperfections; Good