SCOTTISH POTTERY PRATTWARE FIGURE OF PAUL PRY ON A GOAT

£3850

Dated: 1825 Scotland

A very rare antique Scottish pottery prattware figure of Paul Pry riding a goat. These rare figures were produced at the Gordon's Pottery in Prestonpans Scotland. The goat figures are rare but even rarer is the rather bizarre piece where the potter modelled Paul Pry riding the goat. The storyline of the famous play "Paul Pry" (played by John Liston) is centered on a comical, idle, meddlesome and mischievous fellow consumed with curiosity. Unable to mind his own business, he's an interfering busybody who conveniently leaves behind an umbrella everywhere he goes in order to have an excuse to return and eavesdrop on entering the room he would offer the words " I hope I do not intrude". The potter took the opportunity of using an existing goat figure perhaps just adding the Paul Pry almost as a whim.The play has no connection with a goat and illustrates how the potters never missed an opportunity to market a piece with its very loose connection to a succesful London play.

Dimensions: 9.5 inches high

Literature: Ref. your prattware figure of Paul Fry on a goat I thought you might like to know that it and all the goats without figures were produced at George Gordon's pottery in Prestonpans. The mould for the goat survives and is in the ceramic store of the National Museums Scotland. (RE.G.Haggerty). Kind regards George

£3850    $5197

Description

A very rare antique Scottish pottery prattware figure of Paul Pry riding a goat.
These rare figures were produced at the Gordon’s Pottery in Prestonpans Scotland.
The goat figures are rare but even rarer is the rather bizarre piece where the potter modelled Paul Pry riding the goat.
The storyline of the famous play “Paul Pry” (played by John Liston) is centered on a comical, idle, meddlesome and mischievous fellow consumed with curiosity. Unable to mind his own business, he’s an interfering busybody who conveniently leaves behind an umbrella everywhere he goes in order to have an excuse to return and eavesdrop on entering the room he would offer the words ” I hope I do not intrude”. The potter took the opportunity of using an existing goat figure perhaps just adding the Paul Pry almost as a whim.The play has no connection with a goat and illustrates how the potters never missed an opportunity to market a piece with its very loose connection to a succesful London play.

Additional information

Dimensions 9.5 in