A single owner collection of Staffordshire figures goes under the hammer on October 30 boasting a number of exceptional pieces.
More than 160 pieces were amassed over 50 years by antiques dealer John Parrott, who died last year, and whose interest in the style was sparked by a customer’s request.
His widow, Jean, said: “One day a gentleman came into the shop and asked if we had any Staffordshire figures because he was looking for a particular piece of David Garrick playing Shakespeare’s Richard III.”
While Staffordshire figures were not, then, his area of expertise John set about finding the piece and along the way became a devotee and connoisseur of the style.
Jean continued: “Johnny loved his collection, and he met a lot of dealers during this time and he enjoyed talking to each one of them. I still have lots of other figures at home but for now I will keep them as a lasting memory of Johnny.”
Early Staffordshire figures
Early Staffordshire figures were made in many of the small towns of Stoke on Trent, known as the ‘Potteries’, in the mid 18th century up to the Victorian era.
There were many factories including Ralph Wood, Enoch Wood. Obadiah Sherratt, William Greatbatch, Thomas Whieldon, Walton, Salt, Warburton, Josiah Wedgwood, Wood and Caldwell, Neal and many others.
The earliest figures were usually made of salt glazed stoneware or earthenware, moving on to creamware and pearl ware, decorated in coloured lead glazes, either under glaze or on glaze.
The figures depicting everyday life, like Obadiah Sherratt’s Ale Bench and marriage groups. Other subjects included circus groups like Polito’s menageries, bear baiting, Medici lions, as well as rural and family scenes, religious groups and animals.
Victorian Staffordshire figures
In the early to mid-19th century busts depicted politicians, military and naval personnel, poets, philosophers, inventors and religion.
There are several types of Victorian Staffordshire figures, including portrait figures and flatbacks. Portrait figures depict a character, for example Queen Victoria and Prince Albert, or anyone of note during the Victorian era.
This type of figure was usually decorated all over, while the flatbacks were only decorated at the front side, as they were often displayed on mantelpieces or on shelves and the backs were not seen.
Animals were made in abundance, including spaniels, greyhounds, poodles, sheep, cows and goats.
Several of the factories have been identified over the years, namely James Dudson, Thomas Parr, William Kent and Alpha though most remain unknown.
The once prolific market of collecting Staffordshire figures was around late 1970 to 1990s, when large collections were amassed by avid collectors worldwide.
Hansons Auctioneers’ connoisseur ceramics consultant, Gillian Finney, said: “We have seen this market trend rising once again, with private collections coming back to the auction world, affording collectors old and new to enhance their collections.
“Over the last few years Hansons Auctioneers has sold several private collections, including The Late Dennis Silk CBE collection, The Late Stephen Duckworth collection and The Late John McDowell collection, the Late Timothy Manderson Collection
We are now fortunate to be able to offer the Late John Parrott Collection on October 30.”
Star lots
- Lot 12. Staffordshire Ralph Wood figure of Neptune. Estimate £400-£600
- Lot 13. Staffordshire. Wood & Co figure of Hudibras. Estimate £400-£600
- Lot 14. Staffordshire Ralph Wood figure of George and the Dragon. Estimate £250-£350
- Lot 15. Large Staffordshire figure of Demosthenes Greek Orator. Estimate £800-£1,000
- Lot 28. Staffordshire pearl ware figure of Jupiter. Estimate £250-£350
- Lot 39. Staffordshire Wood & Caldwell Bust of Alexander 1st. Estimate £300-£350
- Lot 46. Staffordshire bust of Sir Isaac Newton. Estimate £250-£350
- Lot 47. Staffordshire Ralph Wood bust of John Milton. Estimate £250-£350
- Lot 53. Staffordshire Cream wear bust of George Fredrick Handle. Estimate £250-£350
- Lot 64. Staffordshire Enoch Wood bust of Rev George Whitfield. Estimate £800-£1,200
- Lot 66. Staffordshire Enoch Wood bust of Rev John Wesley. Estimate £250-£350
- Lot 73. Staffordshire portrait figure of Prince Albert. Estimate £80-£100
- Lot 82. Staffordshire portrait figure of George Washington. Estimate £100-£150
Auction Details
Auction: Derbyshire’s The Late John Parrott Collection of Staffordshire Figures Auction
Auction date: 30th October 2025 | 1pm
Location: Hansons Derbyshire Saleroom
Auction contact: [email protected]
Catalogue/bidding: www.hansonslive.co.uk | www.the-saleroom.com
