Sculpture of the Day: A Staffordshire Figure of Edward VII, 1902



Figure of Edward VII
Staffordshire, 1902
The Victoria & Albert Museum

 I’ve been very drawn to Staffordshire figures lately. We see a lot of them on our weekly antiquing excursions. There’s something about the use of color and the creaminess of them that I find very appealing.

This Staffordshire earthenware figure depicts King Edward VII and was made in 1902 to commemorate his coronation. Obviously, it was made in Staffordshire by an unknown artist. Since it is glazed in lead, it would probably be best not to suck on it. Of course, the V&A wouldn’t let you anyway, but if you have one had home refrain from gnawing on it. Materials and Techniques

It really is quite handsome, isn’t it? Though the proportion is somewhat off, Edward should have been quite flattered by the representation since he hadn’t been that thin since he was the young Prince of Wales.