Staffordshire flatback of a couple under a bower of vines
This Staffordshire flatback showing a [presumably] Scottish courting couple under a bower of fruiting vines is a particularly large example and dates from around the middle of the 19th century. Queen Victoria and Albert had promoted a fashion for 'traditional' Scottish dress (the man is wearing a kilt and a Balmoral bonnet) with their visits to their new home, Balmoral Castle in Aberdeenshire which they bought in 1852.
Staffordshire flatbacks and other animal and character figures had been produced from the mid-18th century, and by the Victorian period could be produced in both the Staffordshire potteries and in Scotland. They were relatively cheaply produced, usually being made from press moulded or slip-cast earthenware, and hand painted quickly without too much attention to realism or detail. This gives them their naive but charming quality and each one is unique as the paint colours can vary according to the whim of the decorator.
They were intended for display on mantle shelves and dressers in cottages and modest houses, and can suffer from damage and repair - this one has escaped any major damage that we have found, though there are some noticeable firing cracks (it's a big bit of clay to fire, even though it's made hollow). Some of the paintwork, particularly on the vine leaves, has flaked, but overall is in good condition for its age.
- Height approx. 35.5cm
- Width approx.24cm
- Depth approx. 9cm
