ENGLISH STAFFORDSHIRE HAND-PAINTED CERAMIC FIGURAL PAIRS, LOT OF THREE, each on ovoid base, comprising one pair featuring a man and a woman falconers with colorful bird perched on horse's head, one pair depicting a boy and girl on ponies having cobalt clothing and plumed hats, and one featuring a girl and Ben Backstay, each standing cross-legged and holding a money bag at side of head. Unmarked. Second/third quarter 19th century. 9 1/4" HOA.
Literature: Parallels the Hardings - Victorian Staffordshire Figures, 1835-1875, Book One, Ben Backstay/girl p. 303, figs. 1109/1110; Book Two, man falconer p. 68, fig. 1878; boy/girl pony pair p. 167, figs. 2371/2372.
Provenance: From the Victorian Staffordshire Collection of Dr. Bo Rose, Harrisonburg, VA.
Jeffrey S. Evans & Associates, 4/23/2022, lot 3342 (partial).
Ben Backstay having hairline extending down side and girl with some possible paint touch-ups, each having some scattered losses to enamel decorations; man falconer having hairline to back of horse's neck and professional restoration to bird. Some having manufacturing flaws including firing separations, as made.