Martini Maccomo (Androcles and the Lion)

Stock No: 002190

Height: 8.25 Inches / 21 cm

Reference: Harding Book 3, Page 299, Fig a3346B

Price: £695.00

A very rare spill vase figure of a black man kneeling, holding the paw of a standing lion in his lap, on a gilt lined rococo style base. This figure is probably of Martini Maccomo the black ‘Lion King’. Maccomo was a black sailor whom on leaving the Royal Navy worked for William Manders’ travelling menagerie. He soon became as famous as Van Amburgh and Crockett. On one occasion he entered a cage armed with only a whip, wherein two tigers were engaged in fighting each other. Even though mauled, Maccomo managed to cower them into submission. With the help of assistants, he managed to get them into separate cages. His name was derived from a Zulu chieftain who fought against the British. This figure is probably a representation of Maccomo performing ‘Androcles and the lion‘. A superb example free from damage, repairs, and restoration. Made in Staffordshire, England c1854.