Staffordshire 'Death of the Lion Queen' Figure

Victorian, circa 1860. 12.2ins high, 8.7ins wide, 4.3ins depth. Staffordshire Pottery figure with a folklore theme which features Ellen Blight with a lion and leopard,

stood on an oblong base.

Multi-coloured with underglaze blue version. Dull gilt base line and embellishment.

Flatback, decorated mainly to the front.

Vent hole to the underside.

This piece represents Ellen Bright, 'The Lion Queen'. Ellen Bright was the daughter of John Bright, a bugle player in the George Wombwell's Menagerie band.

At the age of sixteen she became known as 'The Lion Queen'. During a performance in January 1850, in a cage with a lion and a tiger,

she whipped the tiger which was not obeying her commands. The tiger then seized her by the throat and killed her.

Following an inquest into her death, the practice of 'Lion Queens' was banned, and only men were allowed into the cages.

Book reference ,'Victorian Staffordshire Figures 1835-1875' Book 1, by A.& N. Harding, page 32, figure 50.

Condition

CONDITION: Generally good.

A few paint losses to Ellen's skirt and lion's face.

Slight rubbing to gilt.

KILN EFFECTS: glaze filled shrinkage line to lion's hind leg and paw;

flecks of stray cobalt glaze to front;

shrinkage crack to front lower base edge.

RESTORATION. Ellen's right leg and floral hoop have both been remodelled.

Retouched paint losses to leopard's markings.

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