19th Century Staffordshire Pottery Figure - Highland Lass with Game Birds

~ 19th Century Staffordshire Pottery Figure - Highland Lass with Game Birds ~

A charming and vividly coloured Victorian Staffordshire flatback figure depicting a Highland lass standing in a romantic rustic setting. The figure is modelled in the round at the front and sides, with the characteristic flat and undecorated reverse typical of Staffordshire mantelpiece ornaments of the period.
The young woman is portrayed standing against a tree stump bocage, wearing the romanticised Highland dress so fashionable in Victorian England: a wide-brimmed white hat with a pink feather, a deep cobalt blue short-sleeved bodice with a white open collar, and a boldly painted tartan skirt in orange, green and red. Her long dark hair falls loose about her shoulders. She holds or is accompanied by a brace of game birds — modelled in green and brown — suspended on either side of her figure, referencing the Highland sporting tradition of grouse and pheasant shooting. She stands upon a rocky naturalistic base enriched with ochre and brown washes. The underside of the base is glazed white with no maker's mark, typical of the anonymous Staffordshire mass-market production of the period.

Historical Context
Victorian Staffordshire figures were made in the UK between 1837 and 1900, typically decorated with coloured enamels over a plain lead glaze — inexpensive items that served as images in clay "of the people by the people," depicting idealised scenes, sensational events, and subjects of popular interest. 
The Highland theme held a particular grip on the Victorian imagination. Queen Victoria's deep personal attachment to Scotland — cemented by the purchase of Balmoral Castle in 1848 — sparked a nationwide passion for all things Scottish: tartan, Highland games, deer stalking and grouse shooting. The Staffordshire potteries responded enthusiastically, producing a wide range of Highland figures — lasses, huntsmen, courting couples and soldiers in kilts — for the mantelpiece market. These pieces, while not individually attributed to specific makers, capture the period's romantic and patriotic spirit perfectly.
Most Victorian Staffordshire figures were designed to stand on a shelf or mantelpiece and are therefore only modelled and decorated where visible from the front and sides — these are known as "flatbacks." Most figures made from 1740 to 1900 were produced by small potteries and makers' marks are generally absent. 

~ Condition ~
This piece presents as an honest, unrestored antique. The following condition points should be noted carefully:

Game birds — the modelled game bird elements on either side of the figure show significant surface deterioration, with the glaze worn away and the underlying body heavily pitted and crazed. This is the most notable condition issue and is clearly visible. It may represent in-firing imperfections as much as age wear, but it is substantial and should be fully disclosed.
Hat brim — the top of the brim shows some minor surface chips and wear to the white glaze
Rear/back — a hairline crack is visible running through the back of the skirt area
Base underside — shows typical unglazed foot rim with light dirt accumulation, no restoration evident
Colours — the cobalt blue, tartan and ochre base retain good vibrancy with no repainting apparent

The bocage has been crudely restored.

~ Dimensions ~

The piece is 22 cm (8.5 inches) tall and has a maximum width of 15 cm (6 inches).

It weighs 0.53 Kg.