Antique Dancing Couple with Mask Mantel Figurines from Staffordshire, England, 1860, Set of 2

Details

Description

These victorian staffordshire figures possess the warmth, charm and decorative presence of the delightful dancing couple with mask.

full of … Read more These victorian staffordshire figures possess the warmth, charm and decorative presence of the delightful dancing couple with mask.

full of character, the figures capture a lively theatrical moment, with the gentleman raising a mask above his head while dancing beside his companion, whose flowing scarf sweeps elegantly around her dress.

particularly attractive is the beautiful victorian colour palette, combining warm cream tones with soft pink, vibrant orange, deep cobalt blue, fresh green highlights and black detailing. Together these colours create a striking yet harmonious display, allowing the figures to stand out beautifully on a mantelpiece, dresser or display cabinet.

this documented staffordshire model is recorded as “dancing couple with mask” in harding’s staffordshire figures reference, book 1, page 385, figure 1504. The subject falls within the theatrical and literary group of staffordshire figures and remains one of the more distinctive and recognisable victorian designs.

like many authentic staffordshire figures of the period, these examples were produced with traditional flatback construction. Designed to stand neatly against a chimney breast, fireplace wall or shelf, they provided maximum decorative impact while occupying minimal space within the victorian home. Today they remain particularly effective displayed as a pair upon a mantelpiece, just as originally intended.

condition

good antique condition with considerable age-related wear consistent with well over a century of display.

both figures remain structurally stable and retain strong colour and decorative presence. As expected with staffordshire figures of this age and construction, there are historic condition issues which have been photographed in detail.

please note:
• general age-related crazing throughout the glaze.
• original firing and shrinkage lines together with age-related body cracks, particularly around moulded sections and joins.
• small historic chips and losses to the base rims and side edges, and nose.
• areas of paint loss and rubbing to raised details, particularly the gentlemen’s hair and shoes and areas of the costumes.
• further minor surface marks, glaze imperfections and kiln-related irregularities consistent with victorian staffordshire earthenware.

no modern repairs observed.

despite these age-related condition issues, both figures display very well. The principal figures and decorative elements remain substantially complete, the colours are still vibrant, and many of the imperfections become considerably less noticeable when the pieces are viewed normally on display.

the differing hand-painted details and signs of individual manufacture also give each example its own character while making them particularly appealing displayed together as a decorative pair.

dimensions

height: approx. 33 cm

width: approx. 17 cm

depth: approx. 8.5 cm

material: staffordshire earthenware

a charming and increasingly scarce pair of documented victorian staffordshire dancing couple with mask figures, retaining wonderful colour, authentic age and the distinctive decorative character for which 19th-century staffordshire figures are so highly regarded. This piece is attributed to the mentioned designer/maker. It has no attribution mark and no
official proof of authenticity,
however it is well documented in design history. I take full responsibility for any authenticity



issues arising from misattribution See less