Vigo County Historical Society
Historical Treasure Article

August 15, 1993
By Cindy Weir
Vigo County Historical Society

Figurines grace museum mantle

Flatbacks, spellholders, cottage figures or firedogs--Staffordshire figurines were known by all of these names.

Some of the Staffordshire figures, such as George Washington, Benjamin Franklin, Lafayette, Uncle Tom, Little Ina and Topay, were made entirely for the American market. Others such as sailors, soldiers and officers on horseback were patriotic in nature.

Others were general figures, designed to be sold in Europe as well as in America. Hunters were a favorite. These figures usually included a dog, sometimes a horse or falcon. Others might be Adam and Eve (complete with snake, tree and forbidden fruit).

Many times the men are wearing a kilt, some have short hair, others long; some are clean-shaven, others bearded. Animals were popular subjects, too. Dogs (spaniels, poodles, pugs, setters were commonly found; also horses, cats, lions, zebras, cows, goats and sheep were frequently used).

The figures came in sizes from 1 inch to 18 inches. They were used as mantle decorations, but also were used elsewhere. Of course, when they were made, most houses had fireplaces in each room. Frequently, there was a narrow vase on the back of some of the large figures. This was not actually a vase, but was designed to hold “spills,” long, tightly twisted pieces of paper used to light a fireplace or pipe.

Although these figures are called Staffordshire, they were made in many parts of the British Isles, including Wales, Scotland and possibly Ireland. Some of the pieces usually referred to as fairings were made in Germany. They were made of white clay with one notable exception; Jackfield figures from Scotland were black glaze on red clay with gold trim, most commonly dogs.

Small pieces were often press-molded, but larger pieces were poured in molds. These molds were used for long periods of time, judging from the lack of detail on some pieces.

Some figures are all white with only gold highlights or outlinings; these are usually considered later and probably Scottish. Others have color added to shoes, hair, trim on clothing and facial features. Some other examples are highly colored, with lots of detail and flesh tones on the hands and face.

Because most figures, except animals, are painted only on the front, they are called flatbacks. Their backs are white and undecorated, meant to be against the wall. The painting is interesting and hand-done, though not always with great artistic skill.

English figurines look quite primitive compared with the French and German ones of the same period. These English figurines were mass-produced, relatively inexpensive and were made for export to the United States and Canada as well as being sold in England. They seem to have been less popular in the rest of Europe than with the English people at home and abroad.

Today, they are quite popular with collectors and command nearly as much money as their French and German cousins. They seem to have universal appeal.

As with any well-dressed mantle in Victorian times, our historical treasure resides atop a mantle in the children’s bedroom of the museum. The three pieces are a man on horseback, a dog and a cat. The cat is comparatively rare.

The Historical Museum of the Wabash Valley, 1411 S. Sixth St., is open from 1 to 4 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday.

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