REDUCED The Tithe Pig or Baby: Late 19th, Early 20th C. Staffordshire Group

Pottery : Antique : Staffordshire Figurine

 

Weighing 1-lb., 5-oz, this charming Staffordshire group, is a later version of the 18th and early 19th century. The Tithe in which the over-burdened mom offers her baby as tithe, wishing to keep the pig perhaps to feed a large family. Possibly made by the Kent factory, late 19th into the 20th C.

VALUABLE REFERENCE ON THE KENT FACTORY: "Victorian Staffordshire Figures 1875-1962", A & N Harding, pp10,11,12,13,14,15*, and 16-34. ("what continues to be made from the old original moulds, are not, of course, antiques, nor are they reproductions---they are a fine example of living tradition." (From a Reprint in the above reference from an article published in "The Antique Dealer & Collectors' Guide." July, 1958.)

"In 1878, William Kent, a potter from a family of potters, established a works in Burslem...." Except during wartime, the Kent famiily has continued producing Staffordshire pottery. "In this sense, the figures they make today can hardly be called reproductions----particularly since the moulds used are themselves produced from the original 19th century mastermoulds." In detecting later figures from the original early 19th century figures, there is mostly a smaller size making measurements important.

A modern-day crusader against fakes and reproductions is Myrna Schkolne, author of the most helpful AND beautiful book, "People, Passions, Pastimes, & Pleasures: Staffordshire Figures 1810-1835. It is she who confirmed for me that this figure is indeed the later version of the 18th century Tithe group.

SIZE and CONDITION: 15cm. tall or about 6" with an oblong, recessed inside bottom measurement: 17cm. by 10cm. or, about 6-3/4" x 4". Not a flat-back, but "3-D" (see pictures)

I note NO restoration, NO repair. The right tip of the bocage tree leafy part has a chip while there is a flake to the foliage above the man's hat and to the right and higher, a small tip flake. In excellent condition considering the age and complexity of the item.

Note: The ramrod stiff baby was typical of an earlier era in which the infant would be tightly swaddled believing the bones would develop straighter. Also, it kept the child safe and confined and less bother for a busy mom of many, perhaps even as she worked in the fields or milking cows.

Note the produce at the feet: wheat, eggs, and the pig....all worthy tithes of the time. However, this tired little mom offers her baby to the Bishop or the Pastor, maybe her 10% out of too many off-spring.

Item ID: Staf.Fig.11

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Possible Kent Factory Late 19th C. into 20th Century