This is a very unusual and harder to find GENUINE antique Staffordshire figurine which was modelled by Sampson Smith around 1868.
It shows a small gathering of the Independent Order of Good Templars.
The Good Templars originated as one of a number of fraternal organizations for temperance or total abstinence founded in the 19th century and with a structure modeled on Freemasonry, using similar ritual and regalia.
Unlike many similar organizations, however, it admitted men and women equally and also made no distinction by race.
In 1868 the first branch was established in England in Birmingham - an event which is celebrated in this figure group.
There are three figures depicted and they are seated around the little podium in the front. Marked I.O.G.T (for the Order).
The figure is a nice larger one measuring some 11/1/4 inches in height and is 9 inches wide.
These figure groups are often made uncoloured (please also see my Mr and Mrs Gladstone figures in my store).
The figure group is illustrated on page D343 (Fig. 60) of P.D Gordon Pugh's publications "Staffordshire Portrait Figures of the Victorian Era".
Examples of this group are now quite hard to find - this is reflected in my price in my Iconic Edinburgh online store.
As you can see from my photographs the model is in very good antique condition as well. There are a few tiny nibbles to the surface here and there - and a loss to the bottom edge (this occurred in the making - it seems when part of the model must have stuck to a plaster mould when it was removed).
HAPPY TO POST INTERNATIONALLY, PLEASE ASK FOR A POSTAGE QUOTE OUTSIDE OF THE UK.