Collections record Beta

Pair of Gardener Figurines

1968-02-6 a,b

A: Molded earthenware figurine of a man on a base. The base is relatively high and covered with fern and flower impressions. The man stands and leans on a shovel, while holding a potted plant in the other hand. Four "bushes", each with five fronds stick out from behind the man. The figurine is labeled "GARDNERS." The figurine is crudely underglazed with multiple colors. The base is green, the shovel is brown, and the bushes are green with three flowers in blue, pink, and green in the center of each bush. The gardener wears green knee breeches, white stockings and black shoes. He also wears a white shirt and a striped vest, with a blue hip sack. His hat is black. The overall effect is charming, but crudely done. There have been several repairs in the fronds of the bushes and to the handle of the shovel. B: The female figurine has a matching tall base with the same impressions. She stands, leaning forward. She gatherers her apron full of flowers with one hand, and carries a watering can with the other. The same "bushes" stick out from behind her. On one side of the female figurine is a small brown block with a grotesque of a human face from which pours a fountain of water. The colors are similar. The base and the bushes are green. The fountain block is brown, the grotesque flesh colored and the water blue. She has on a multi-patterned skirt with an overdress of rose. Her bodice is tied with a white shift underneath, and a blue shawl. She wears a yellow hat with a rose-colored bow. Her base is also marked "GARDNERS." There have been extensive repairs to this figurine, especially in the bushes.

British-made glazed earthenware, likely Staffordshire.

1820-1825

OH: 5.75 in. x OW: 3.5 in. x 2.12 in.

• enamel
• glaze
• earthenware