Figure of the month

French Soldier and English Sailor

July 2026

This is a rare Crimean War figure of a French soldier and an English sailor, standing to either side of a gun emplacement. It stands about 13 ¼” tall and dates to about 1854. Both the French soldier and English sailor are holding flags. This figure may be found in Pugh’s Staffordshire Portrait Figures, page 276, figure 212. Also existing are a single figure very much like the French soldier on the left, and another like the English sailor on the right. Our figure of the month might form the centrepiece for these two figures.

More Figures of the month

Columbine and Harlequin

September 2026

This is a pair of theatrical figures representing Columbine and Harlequin, two characters in the English harlequinade.

Father Theobald Mathew

August 2026

This is a very rare figure of Father Theobald Mathew administering the Temperance Pledge of abstinence.

Queen Victoria

June 2026

This is a very rare, regal figure, possibly representing Queen Victoria at her coronation. It is unrecorded and no source painting has been located. It stands about 14” tall and, if it is Victoria at her coronation, would date to about 1838. If a pair to this figure ever surfaces, it would probably be Albert, […]

Ralph and Kate Nickleby

May 2026

This is a very rare and fine pair of Staffordshire figures representing figures from Charles Dickens’ novel “Nicholas Nickleby”, published approximately 1838-39. 

Sir William John Codrington

April 2026

This is a rare figure of Sir William John Codrington.  He was a British army officer who eventually became a general and then Commander in Chief of British forces in the Crimean War. 

Tam O’Shanter and Souter Johnny

March 2026

This is a rare pair of early figures of Tam O’Shanter and Souter Johnny, characters in the Robert Burns play “Tam O’Shanter”, written in 1790.

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