Antique Staffordshire pottery bocage New Marraige Act Gretna Green figure group

Reference: 6792

Dated: c. 1820 Staffordshire England UK

Pearlware bocage type figures group commemorating the New Marriage Act.
This group shows a couple wed by the blacksmith at Gretna Green a small hamlet just over the border from England in Scotland. The plaque reads "John Macdonald Aged 79, a Scottish esquire run of with an English girl aged 17 to Gratnal Green the old blacksmith to be married" The spelling mistakes are those of the Staffordshire potters! Such events were known as anvil weddings and enabled couples over 16 to be wed with the presence of two witnesses.
This amusing figure is well modelled on a square base showing the loving couple wed by the Blacksmith over the anvil which is surrounded by his tools of the trade. The open bible sits on the anvil. The figure would have caused much amusement at the time as it still does to this day.

Dimensions: 4.25 inch wide 8.00 inch high 3.00 inch deep

Medium: pearlware pottery bocage earthenware ceramic

Current Condition Restored.

Provenance: Private collection Stow on the Wold Cotswolds England

Literature: Chapter 139 Staffordshire Figures 1780-1840 by Myrna Schkolne Volume 4. Published by Schiffer.

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