STAFFORDSHIRE FIGURE OF ELOQUENCE.
(Sometimes known as St. Paul Preaching at Athens.)
In coloured earthenware. (Height 18 inches.)
Similar to figure in Schreiber Collection by Enoch Wood.
(In the collection of Col. and Mrs. Dickson.)
Early Period (1675–1725).—The method of slip decoration has already been described, and to this period, when Toft and his school had implanted their quaint and original taste upon the common people, these early figures belong. Among the best-known figures of this early date are small Cats of stoneware or earthenware body, coated with white and ornamented with spots in brown slip. Ducks are sometimes found similarly ornamented in spots and wavy lines. These figures are only 3 inches in height. To these days belong the solid agate Cats made of two or three clays of different colours intermingled, and highly glazed. These are some 5 or 6 inches in height. We give an illustration of this type of ware ([p. 171]). Bears in agate ware the same nature, and small figures of doll-like individuals are also found.
The elder Astbury (1736–1743) has been credited with a series of figures of men, some 6 inches in height, playing bagpipes or other instruments. They are splashed with green and brown, and have yellow slip ornament, their lead glazing is warm and rich. The beady eyes of some of these tiny figures is suggestive of the Toft slip applied figure on some of his dishes, and was produced by the use of manganese.
Among early figures those of salt-glaze are rare and of exceptional interest, and the figure illustrated ([p. 351]), stands as a typical example of a class not frequently met with, and highly prized by collectors.
We have seen in the chapter dealing with Whieldon and his influence that he commenced potting before 1740 and continued till 1780, and although none of his figures is marked it is tolerably certain that he produced some fine work in which he introduced the beautiful tortoiseshell glazings, which characteristic is found on figures attributed to him. Obviously over a period of nearly half a century Whieldon ware varies in quality. The following class of figures may be attributed to the early Whieldon period, that is, before 1760. Actor, with turban and flowing mantle, hand resting on dagger; tortoiseshell ware, brown and green glazing; height, 5½ inches. Diana, with dog, on square hollow pedestal made of buff clay; brown and grey glazings, eyes of brown clay; height, 7 inches. Venus, with bow, on irregular base, eyes brown clay; height, 5½ inches. Figure of Sphinx, coloured with brown and green glazings; height, 3½ inches. Monkey, eyes, black; height, 4 inches. Other animals, such as Lion, height, 3¼ inches; Squirrel, height, 7 inches; Cock, height, 7¼ inches; Cow, in form of small jug with woman milking, height, 5½ inches; Dog, with brown glazing, height, 3¾ inches. Other figures of this early period are Summer and Winter, each 4½ inches high; sauceboats in form of Duck and Drake, coloured glazings, height, 4½ inches.
(We have illustrated several types of these figures, [pp. 171, 175]).
The Best Period (1735–1760).—This is known to collectors as the Wood School. Briefly, the history of the Wood family is as follows, and will be of interest to collectors of Staffordshire figures. So strong and original is the work of the modeller Ralph Wood the elder, that connoisseurs recognise the class of face in his work. Aaron Wood and Ralph Wood were the sons of the old Ralph Wood, a miller. They were both modellers of distinction. Aaron is mainly known as a block-cutter of salt-glaze moulds. Ralph Wood (1750–1772) made figures and other rustic groups at his own factory at Burslem. His models are straightforward and homely and strongly English, not greatly influenced by any extraneous classic models. He modelled the celebrated "Vicar and Moses," which for quaint humour is inimitable. It has been copied by all the potters, and much of its strength and simplicity of modelling has been lost, while its restraint in colouring disappeared in the copies upon which enamel colours were lavishly laid.