This is a highly collectible and decorative large antique Staffordshire figurines depicting the Scottish poet, Robert Burns (1759 - 1796) and his fancy, Highland Mary (Mary Campbell) (1763 - 1786).
The figurine takes the form of a tall spill vase and it probably dates to around the 1850s - 1860s. The couple stand in a field of corn. The section where you place long spills or tapers is behind the couple and takes the form of a tall, slender tree trunk (with an orange interior). It is possibly a Sampson Smilth issue from this time with lots of fancy colouring.
The modelling is much in the round with fine detailing. Burns is shown in his kilt and plaid socks. He wears a blue glossy jacket with a green scarf over his chest. He holds a Kilmarnock bonet with a feather in his hand. Burns is shown as a young handsome man - much like how he is depicted in the famous portrait by Alexander Nasmyth.
Highland Mary is wearing a long blue Scotch dress and has a large bonnet decorated with long feathers. She holds in her hand a book - obviously a book of poems written by Burns. So we are in no doubt who are represented in the Spill Vase - there is a square lozenge below their feet: Burns and His Mary.
It is a harder figure to source - and another is the the Balston Collection of Staffordshire Pottery, National Trust. This one is on display at Attingham Park in Shropshire.
The spill vase is a nice larger size and would have looked great in bedroom of a Victorian Scottish house.
Condition: The vase is in generally good antique condition. There is a little firing crack under Mary's chin done in the making - you can hardly see it on display. And there is a little restoration to one ear of corn - which again you only see on close-up inspection. There is some craquelure evident on the white finish on the reverse, but no evident on the more brightly coloured frontage. I have taken images of these areas - please look at them carefully to assess the condition problems. I have reduced my price to reflect all this.
There is sticker on the base (put on by a previous owner) This reads: Burns and His Mary . Dark Cobalt Blue. Pugh p 498 Fig. 46 Rare c 1850.
Dimensions. Height is 12 inches. The width at the widest point is 8 inches. The depth is 4 inches.
My price is a fair one for this harder to find model. It takes into consideration the height, the good modelling of the figures and the little condition issues. It is pretty good given it is now 176 years old.
I have taken lots of images for your inspection.
UK Postage will be with Royal Mail (Medium Parcel). This will be applied to your order at the checkout. With all the projecting details in this model we shall take out private insurance for it so that it fully covered against loss or damage in transit.