Large bull baiting figure with creamware- body decorated in ochre and underglaze green circa 1770

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£7850

Dated: 1775 Staffordshire England

An imposing pottery figure of a bull tethered to a capstan and baited by a Staffordshire bull terrier. The figure is creamware-bodied and decorated with a dappled ochre and green under the lead glaze. The figure is compellingly molded with fine details, including the terminal of the rope, the imposing head of the bull, and the expressive vitality of the terrier standing under the bull. This barbaric " sport" was banned in Britian in the 1830's but such figures are a reminder of the social context of the time and remain today as an expressive form of folk art.

Dimensions: 6 inches high, 5 inches wide, 9.5 inches long

Current Condition: Restored, horns, two bracelet hairlines at feet, section of rope and crack at rhe base.

Provenance: Acquired from Christies London 1973

£7850    $10597

Description

An imposing pottery figure of a bull tethered to a capstan and baited by a Staffordshire bull terrier.

The figure is creamware-bodied and decorated with a dappled ochre and green under the lead glaze.

The figure is compellingly molded with fine details, including the terminal of the rope, the imposing head of the bull, and the expressive vitality of the terrier standing under the bull.

This barbaric ” sport” was banned in Britian in the 1830’s but such figures are a reminder of the social context of the time and remain today as an expressive form of folk art.

Additional information

Dimensions 9.5 × 5 × 6 in