13 December 2025
UPCOMING AUCTION
M-112-0047-P3218Lot 0468 | 2 English Staffordshire Pottery Flatback Figural Groups, Highland Jessie and Romantic Couple
✯ BID NOW on ✯ LIVEAUCTIONEERS.com
DETAILS
[A] A very large antique Staffordshire figure group titled Highland Jessie. Jessie Brown stands with a gentleman who is probably her husband Corporal Brown of the 32nd Regiment. It dates to the time of the Siege of Lucknow in India in 1857. Jessie was said to have saved the British from surrendering, by her premonition during a feverish dream where she reportedly heard the bagpipes of the approaching 78th Highlanders.
[B] A figure group modelled as a Scottish couple seated on a mantel clock.
Staffordshire figures were made from around 1740 to 1900 by various pottery factories in England and Scotland. Most have no maker’s marks. Victorian flatback examples were undecorated on one side because they were designed to sit on a shelf or fireplace mantel and only viewed from the front or sides. Popular subjects included romantic figures, buildings, farm animals, and domestic pets, in particular Queen Victoria’s favored pet, the King Charles Spaniel.
[B] A figure group modelled as a Scottish couple seated on a mantel clock.
Staffordshire figures were made from around 1740 to 1900 by various pottery factories in England and Scotland. Most have no maker’s marks. Victorian flatback examples were undecorated on one side because they were designed to sit on a shelf or fireplace mantel and only viewed from the front or sides. Popular subjects included romantic figures, buildings, farm animals, and domestic pets, in particular Queen Victoria’s favored pet, the King Charles Spaniel.
LITERATURE
Pugh C, Figure 266
STYLE
Victorian
PLACE OF ORIGIN
England | United Kingdom
MARKS
Labelled (base): Highland Jessie
PERIOD
Queen Victoria (1837-1901) | Mid 19th century
DATE
Circa 1857
DIMENSIONS
[A] Width 8.75 Depth 2.75 Height 14.75 inches
[B] Width 8.5 Depth 3 Height 13.5 inches
CONDITION
Note: some crazing.
