Jewish Peddler Watch Seller

Stock No: 001908

Height: 6 Inches / 15 cm

Reference: Myrna Schkolne Staffordshire Figures 1780 to 1840 Vol 1, Page 251, Fig 30.10

A very rare and desirable pearlware figure depicting a Jewish watch vendor. A bearded man stands holding up a watch in his right hand. The Jewish pedlar has a strap around his neck which supports an open box resting on his chest and containing watches and fixing tools, wearing a top hat, long overcoat, trousers, and boots. This figure has been recorded both titled ‘BY A VACH’ and untitled. Earlier examples made by the Chelsea factory have been recorded named ‘The Jewish Pedlar’, circa 1754, adapted from Meissen’s ‘Trinket-seller’. Derby figures have also been recorded ‘Jewish Pedlars’ circa 1760. This example was made in Staffordshire, England in the 1820’s. The figure has been restored to a very high standard. This is the actual figure recorded and illustrated in Myrna Schkolne’s book, one of only two pre-Victorian examples ever recorded, the other being in the Willett collection, housed in the Brighton and Hove Museum.

Provenance: From the collection of the late Malcolm Hodkinson.