Staffordshire Pottery Figure - 'Death of the Lion Queen'

Victorian, circa 1860. 14.8ins high, 8.7ins wide, 3.3ins depth. Staffordshire Pottery group with a folklore theme which features

Ellen Bright with a lion and tiger/leopard, stood on a shaped base.

The piece is titled, 'Death of the Lion Queen' .

Dull gilt titles and embellishment. Flatback, decorated mainly to the front.

Vent hole to the underside.

This piece represents Ellen Bright, the lion trainer. In 1850, whilst performing in Chatham with a lion and tiger, the latter seized her by the throat

and killed her before she could be rescued. The affair led to the prohibition of such performances by women but the leading menageries

continued to have 'lion kings'.

Book reference ,'Victorian Staffordshire Figures 1835-1875' Book 1, by A.& N. Harding, page 32, figure 49.

Condition

CONDITION: Generally good.

Some rubbing to gilt.

KILN EFFECTS: over glazed shrinkage line to her left ankle.

RESTORATION. Remodelled plume to hat,

end of cape

and tiger's front leg.

Her head reglued and join retouched.

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