December, 1913 



AMERICAN HOMES AND GARDENS 



433 



Staffordshire cottage figures. The illustrations to the right and to the left of the central illustration show the "soldier" and the "sailor" sides of a 

 reversible Staffordshire cottage figure. Of the central group the figure representing "Queen Catherine" is the most interesting 



The latter is a figure nine inches in height. Among his 

 most highly colored pieces we find the "Sportsman" and 

 the "Bagpiper." Unusual merit is found in the earliest 

 Staffordshire productions, more particularly in "Falstaff 

 with drawn sword," the "Shepherd and the Shepherdess" 

 with pipe and dog. 



The most curious specimen in existence, perhaps, is the 

 elephant. He is depicted with a castle on his back, the 

 cover being a monkey and the handle twisted serpents. This 

 piece is suggestive of oriental work, and the effect is re- 

 markably good. 



Cottage figures may be divided into three distinct classes. 

 The first consists of pieces designed by Ralph Wood and, 

 later, by his son. They represent Staffordshire groups, and 

 are, some of them, truly artistic, as well as quaint. One 



of the best is the 



tent to caricature was often grotesque in result. The most 

 extensive group is the third, containing pieces which were 

 the work of potters and decorators, who in themselves pos- 

 sessed no original talent, but modified and adapted their 

 material to the best advantage. 



The ware produced from 1730 to 1780 is comparatively 

 light in weight. The figures made during that period were, 

 many of them, of red clay into which had been introduced 

 buff. They were, according to most authorities, designed 

 by Astbury, and a number of his imitators. Many of 

 these pieces were very small, some not more than six inches 

 in height and more mottled in effect than the earlier ones. 

 Astbury's figures are designed in pairs. He rarely pro- 

 duced more than two of one subject. The favorite motives 

 were shepherds, dairy maids and "The Cobbler." The 

 designs at this period 



Old bottles and other objects of utility in the form of cottage figures 



