Description
A fine Staffordshire pottery pearlware glazed bocage figure of the Pig Tithe finely modeled and decorated in quality enamel colors.
NOTE;
The figure depicts Farmer Hob ( holding a pig )and his wife (holding newborn child) meeting the local vicar. The church rented land, and the common practice was to levy a “tythe” as part of the rent. This practise was very tough on the poor, and there was a national feeling that it should be abolished. The group captures the moment when Hob’s wife offers the baby as part of their produce and states, “If you do not take the child, there will be no handing over of the pig.” Hence the somewhat startled expression on the clergyman’s face. This practice imposing a tythe was replaced by other devices such as ground rent.