Staffordshire Figures

These are essentially a Victorian phenomena that started being manufactured in the Staffordshire potteries about 1835. The figures were produced as ornaments predominately intended to grace the mantelpiece of  many Victorian homes and their heyday was between the 1850s and 1870s.

Some of the figures had a functional use such as spill holders, pastille burners, candle sticks and others. Initially they required many moulds to produce and were decorated all over. This resulted in a relatively expensive item and a new technique was developed whereby the clay was pressed into the moulds by hand. These were then joined together and fired prior to decoration and final glazing. Since many were intended to be viewed from the front only, the reverse was left undecorated. This style of figure became known as flatbacks.

Shortly after, production lines were created and large quantities were produced which made the items much cheaper to buy and hence they appealed to the masses.

It is believed that there were over 5000 different models produced including the ever popular pairs of spaniels (sometimes referred to as comforters). Other styles produced include Queen Victoria, Prince Albert, Nelson, religious, musical and theatrical figures, soldiers, sailors, shepherds and hunters, greyhound dogs and other animals, buildings, and other historical characters.

Unfortunately most of the Staffordshire figures are not marked and hence it is difficult to attribute individual items to specific potteries. The moulds used deteriorated with use and hence the final quality could not be consistent. No two figures would be identical and the best to purchase are those with the sharpest details whilst the mould was still new.

Staffordshire figures were popular collectors items from the late 1950s to the early 1960s  particularly with by the Americans.  Up to the mid 1970s prices were still low, but the most desirable items are now fiercely sought after and the prices reflect this.

 The various models are well documented and catalogued and now there are specialist dealers and auction houses just devoted to this genre. However, most dealers will still have a few of these figures available for inspection and purchase.

Collectors are likely to following a collecting theme or category such as Royalty, politicians, animals or dogs. This is because of the large range of options available.

One of the main problems in collecting Staffordshire figures is to accurately date the item. The last pottery to manufacture these figures was the Kent factory and this did not cease production until 1962.

Over a 50 year span from 1910, the figures looked very similar and because these were produced in large volumes, they are still available at present for fairly moderate prices.

One possible clue to dating Staffordshire animals occurred in 1885 when rather than painting in the eyes, the potters started to use glass eyes instead, particularly on the larger figures.

Regrettably there are now huge quantities of Staffordshire reproduction items and some deliberate fakes that are believed to emanate from the far east. Care is needed not to be confused by these figures which often look to be too perfect to be true. One clue is to look at the base which in the real thing will not look perfect because it would not have been given any attention.

Queen Victoria and Prince Albert c1850

Staffordshire girl c1890

Pair of Kent Spaniels c ?

Base of an early Staffordshire figure