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Victorian Staffordshire Figures
C1840- 1890
The 19th century saw a massive expansion of the population in Britain a country at the height of its power due to the impact of the industrial revolution and successful military and naval campaigns.
The demand for decorative and functional ceramics was supplied in the main by hundreds of factories in the Staffordshire area and at other major locations such as Portobello and Glasgow in Scotland, Yorkshire, South Wales at Swansea and Llanelli, North East England in Newcastle on Tyne and Sunderland and other provincial factories dotted around the UK.
Our main specialisation from this period is Staffordshire and Scottish animal figure groups. The iconic Staffordshire pottery spaniel has been produced in there thousands and we stock the very rarest and best examples ever produced especially the rarer canine figures of other breeds. We also specialise in the best examples of animal figures such as rabbits, leopards, lions and exotic birds.
Victorian Staffordshire figures are perhaps the most copied and reproduced today. The most frequent question we are encountered with is “ how can you tell a modern copy from an original Victorian example”.
WHAT TO LOOK FOR MODERN COPIES AND FAKES
- Colours used. Antique Staffordshire pottery has a fairly standard range of colours and it one should familiarise colours from authentic pieces. Beware of “wishy-washy”colours and, paradoxically; beware of extra bright colours also.
- Look at the material the item is made from, numerous figures are reproduced in a porcelain body when in fact the original was made in pottery. Many of the copies on the market today are made in China and are made with a crude porcelain body.
- If there is extensive crazing and staining it often denotes a modern piece. Antique examples do not usually have extensive crackleure.
- Some blue blotches (cobalt) in a thick lustrous glaze (lead) are usually a good sign.
- A chalky feel to the base, particularly to the rim is a bad sign and often denotes items produced in the 1960/70’s
- If the item is exceptionally heavy or light in weight it could signal the item is a copy. This is a judgement, which can be made after handling authentic antique pieces.
- Reproductions made from a mould from an original piece will be about 10% smaller than the original. (This is due to shrinkage in the firing process).
- Most figures dating from 1840 to 1880 are made by pressing two moulds together and this can be confirmed by the presence of a seam down the side of the item. Later items were made from a slip cast process (a modern technique) and there will be no seam join as these modern examples are made in one single form.
- A marked piece stating ”Made in England”, Genuine Staffordshire”,”Ye Olde Staffordshire” relate to items made in the 20th century.
- The gilt decoration applied to antique Victorian piece pre 1870 has a soft and realistic gold look. Later copies from the late 19th century to the present day have a harsh almost chromium look to the gilding.
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ENGLISH MAJOLICA PLAQUE VICTORIAN PERIOD C1875 Reference: 6876 Antique English pottery majolica plaque with very strong relief moulded portrait possibly Sir Walter Raleigh. The reverse of the plaque has the makers mark W and R...Wate and Ridge of Staffordshire England. Dimensions: 15.50 inch high 6.50 inch wide
Price:
gbp 550.00 (Pound Sterling)
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STAFFORDSHIRE POTTERY FIGURE OF A VICTORIAN CRICKET PLAYER Reference: 1112 A Victorian period Staffordshire pottery figure of a cricket player. This piece is the smaller version which is very rare. Dimensions: 10 inch high
Price:
gbp 1650.00 (Pound Sterling)
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Victorian Staffordshire pottery figure of a recumbant cat mid 19thc. Reference: 6804 Antique Staffordshire pottery figure of a recumbant and rather smug looking cat. Dimensions: 5.50 inch high 5.50 inch wide
Price:
gbp 1100.00 (Pound Sterling)
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Galle signed glass eyed black cat figure Nancy France Reference: 6700 Emille galle signed pottery figure of a black cat with glass eyes. The Galle Nancy signature is executed in blue under the paws of the cat. Dimensions: 14 inch high
Price:
gbp 1850.00 (Pound Sterling)
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Enlsih Staffordshire pottery figures of cats c1855/60 Reference: 6627 A pair of Staffordshire pottery cats lying down from the mid 19th century Victorian period. Dimensions: 3.50 inch wide
Price:
gbp 385.00 (Pound Sterling)
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Antique Victorian Staffordshire pottery figure of a hunter with his dog Reference: 0345 Antique Victorian period Staffordshire pottery figure in the form of a spill vase. The piece is very well modelled and colured with figures of a hunter and his trusty dog. Dimensions: 12.75 inch high
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