Pugilists Tom Spring & Jack Langan

Stock No: HC00416

Height: 8 Inches / 20 cm

Reference: Myrna Schkolne Staffordshire Figures 1780 to 1840 Vol 2, Page 124, Fig 81.10

A high-quality, very rare Staffordshire pottery portrait figure depicting the pugilists Tom Spring and Jack Langan. The group figure is meticulously decorated in Walton’s signature overglaze enamel colours, with each pugilist’s name impressed on a raised ribbon scroll applied to his side of the base. 

This remarkable piece captures the essence of the match beautifully, depicting the two fighters squared up with fists raised. It is a magnificent example of early English folk art at its best and, notably, this is a previously unrecorded figure; only two other examples of this piece have ever been documented. It was made in Staffordshire, England, around 1824.

This example is attributed to the well-known Staffordshire potter John Walton and features his mark on a raised ribbon scroll at the back. The figure commemorates one of the greatest boxing matches in history, which took place on January 7, 1824. During this match, Tom Spring and Paddy Langan fought for the Championship of England at Worcester Racecourse, in front of an audience of 40,000 people, for a purse of 300 sovereigns. The fight lasted an astonishing 77 rounds and took over two hours and thirty-two minutes, culminating in a victory for Spring. After his boxing career, Tom Spring retired and purchased the Castle Inn in Holborn, which became the unofficial headquarters of English boxing.

Currant Condition: Professional invisible repairs and restoration to Langan, at elbow of Spring

Provenance: From a prestigious private collection in the USA.