Staffordshire pottery Figure of the Highwayman Tom King seated on a black horse circa 1835

Ref: 0539 Categories: ,

£1750

Dated: 1835 Staffordshire

This figure Staffordshire pottery figure is titled "TOM KING &" and depicts the famous highwayman seated on a black horse while he holds a pistol ready for action. Tom King was the friend of the notorious highwayman Dick Turpin who shot him dead by mistake. The unusual use of & in the title denotes it was one of a pair with Dick Turpin. NOTES. Tom King's fame rests mainly on his association with Dick Turpin. King was very well known about the country and famed for his gentleman's dashing attire. According to legend, the two joined forces and hid out in a cave in Epping Forest and pursued a successful partnership. Their first crime together was to steal a racehorse, and it was under King's influence that Turpin turned from his life of petty crime to a career as a highwayman. On 2 May 1737, during a robbery that went wrong, King was accidentally shot by Turpin, and he died of his wounds on 19 May 1737, aged about 25. He was buried at St James' churchyard in Clerkenwell on 21 May 1737. In his will, King bequeathed the entirety of his effects to his "loving wife, Elizabeth King."

Dimensions: 8.75 inches high

Current Condition: Restored, a chip on the hat, the tip of pistol and horses front raised leg.

Literature: Myrna Schkolne Volume 2 chapter 58 figure ref 58.1 illustrates the companion pair, the figure of Dick Turpin.

£1750    $2362

Description

This figure Staffordshire pottery figure is titled “TOM KING &” and depicts the famous highwayman seated on a black horse while he holds a pistol ready for action. Tom King was the friend of the notorious highwayman Dick Turpin who shot him dead by mistake. The unusual use of & in the title denotes it was one of a pair with Dick Turpin.

NOTES.
Tom King’s fame rests mainly on his association with Dick Turpin.
King was very well known about the country and famed for his gentleman’s dashing attire. According to legend, the two joined forces and hid out in a cave in Epping Forest and pursued a successful partnership. Their first crime together was to steal a racehorse, and it was under King’s influence that Turpin turned from his life of petty crime to a career as a highwayman. On 2 May 1737, during a robbery that went wrong, King was accidentally shot by Turpin, and he died of his wounds on 19 May 1737, aged about 25. He was buried at St James’ churchyard in Clerkenwell on 21 May 1737. In his will, King bequeathed the entirety of his effects to his “loving wife, Elizabeth King.”

Additional information

Dimensions 8.75 in