~ Victorian Staffordshire Flatback Figure of a Sleeping Soldier - 'The Soldier's Dream', c.1856–1865 ~
A large and characterful Victorian Staffordshire flatback figure depicting a sleeping Highland soldier, a subject known as The Soldier's Dream, modelled after the celebrated poem by Thomas Campbell. The soldier is seated cross-legged on a naturalistic mound base, his head resting on his right arm and his left arm leaning on a moulded drum to his right. Behind him, a large moulded flag or standard billows upward, forming the tall flatback structure characteristic of this type. He is dressed in Highland military uniform: a white feathered busby/bonnet, a white tunic or plaid with green, gold, blue and orange tartan lines, a white kilt, and orange-red crosshatched stockings with black shoes. A cannon barrel and wheel are moulded into the base, with small applied lichen and floral cluster details in green and orange around the perimeter. The reverse is the typical plain white undecorated flatback. The glazed base is unmarked. Approximate height 27 cm (10.5 inches); width approximately 19 cm.
~ Historical Context ~
The Soldier's Dream was originally a poem by Thomas Campbell (1777–1844), describing a soldier who falls asleep on the battlefield and dreams of returning home to his family. The figure could well be based on Thomas Campbell's poem, which was revived during the Crimean War; the subject depicts a Scottish soldier asleep, a flag to his side, seated cross-legged, his left arm leaning on a drum, wearing a plumed hat, tunic, kilt, and sporran, a scarf across his chest and shoulders.
The Crimean War (1853–1856) generated an enormous outpouring of popular imagery in Britain, and the Staffordshire potteries responded swiftly with a range of military figures celebrating the Scottish Highland Regiments who distinguished themselves throughout the campaign. The Soldier's Dream subject became one of the most enduring of these, existing in several different versions and sizes. An example of this figure — described as a Highland soldier of the Crimea, asleep, his legs crossed in highland dress, his head resting on his left hand and his arm on a drum, with a flag to one side — was collected by the noted Staffordshire figure scholar Thomas Balston and is now held in the National Trust collection at Attingham Park. The figure is referenced in the standard collector's guide: Harding Book 1, Page 394, Fig 1565, confirming its established place in the canon of Victorian Staffordshire military figures.
~ Condition ~
The piece is structurally intact with no chips, cracks or repairs apparent, but carries significant age-related surface deterioration that must be honestly disclosed.
Crazing: There is extensive crazing throughout the piece — across the front surface (visible in images 1 and 5), extensively across the rear (image 3), and very prominently across the glazed base (image 6). This is more substantial than the typical minor crazing expected in Victorian Staffordshire earthenware and is clearly visible in display.
Surface staining: Age-related brown/tan soil marks are present across the white-glazed surface of the front and sides (images 1 and 4), likely the result of long-term display or storage. These are surface marks, not glaze loss or paint loss.
Base and foot rim: Heavy grime and dirt accumulation around the foot rim (image 6); the base interior shows the characteristic kiln vent hole — standard production feature.
Applied lichen/floral details: The small moulded floral/lichen cluster details around the base perimeter appear intact from examination of the photographs.
Colour: The tartan lines, stockings and hair retain good definition despite the overall crazing.
No chips, cracks, losses to moulding, or evidence of restoration are apparent from examination of the photographs.
Buyers are encouraged to review all images carefully before purchasing.
