Staffordshire pottery tithe pig figure group made in England antique period circa 1820

Reference: 6673

Dated: c. 1820 Staffordshire England

Antique English pottery pearlware bocage figure known as the Tythe Pig Group.
This charming satirical figure is very decorative with flamboyant swirls of red and blue on the green base. The figure is comprehensively and well colored and modeled with fine attention to detail,the wonderful base is similar to those found on Savoyard with bear figures.

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 practice imposing a tythe eventually diminished and was replaced by other devices such as ground rent.

Dimensions: 7.00 inch wide 7.50 inch high 4.00 inch deep

Medium: staffordshire pottery pearlware bocage earthenware ceramic

Current Condition Hairline at base , one pig and minor bocage professionally invisibly restored

Literature: Staffordshire Figures 1780-1840 Volume 2 Chapter 108, by Myrna Schkolne, published by Schiffer.

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