English Staffordshire pottery figure group Tythe Pig.c1820

Reference: 6691

Dated: c. 1825 Staffordshire

Antique English pottery pearlware bocage figure known as the Tythe Pig Group.
This charming satirical figure has very decorative and rare bocage with a wonderful swirl of blue on the base..
The figure depicts Farmer Hob ( holding a pig )and his wife (holding newborn child) meeting the local vicar. The church rented land and the common practise was to levy a "tythe" as part of the rent. This practise was very tough on the poor and there was a national feeling that it should be abolished. The group captures the moment when Hob's wife offers the baby as part of their produce and states "If you do not take the child there will no handing over of the pig". Hence the rather startled expression on the clergyman's face. This practise imposing a tythe eventually diminished and was replaced by other devices such as ground rent.

Dimensions: 8.00 inch high

Current Condition Minor restoration.

Literature: Myrna Schkolne book, People Passions, Pastimes and Pleasures. Staffordshire Figures 1810-35.
Several figures of similar Tythe Pig Groups are illustrated in chapter 31 titled TITHING.

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