The Dame School

Stock No: 002393

Height: 6.5 Inches / 16.5 cm

Reference: Myrna Schkolne Staffordshire Figures 1780 to 1840 Vol 1, Page 97, Fig 25.41

Price: £3950.00

This exquisite, rare arbour group figure from the early nineteenth-century Staffordshire potters is known as “The Dame School.” This remarkable piece provides a vivid depiction of a classroom scene typical of dame schools during the 1820s, a type of informal education setting often held in the homes of elderly women or gentlemen. These schools were crucial for imparting basic reading skills and domestic knowledge to the young children of the working poor, helping them to navigate life in a challenging economic environment.

In this particularly well-crafted figure, the dame is elegantly seated beneath a gracefully arched brick arbour, adorned with a climbing grapevine that enhances the pastoral charm of the scene. She is depicted holding a broom in her right hand, which she gently rests on her lap, symbolizing her role as both educator and disciplinarian. In her left hand, she holds an open book, suggesting that she is actively engaged in teaching her pupils. Dressed in a beautifully detailed laced bonnet, a flowing long dress, and a warm shawl, she conveys a sense of authority and nurturing simultaneously.

Flanking her on both sides are two long wooden benches, each occupied by well-dressed children who are engaged in their studies. On her left, two boys sit attentively, while to her right, two girls are equally focused, each one holding an open book in both hands. Their neat attire and composed demeanor hint at the discipline and respect instilled in them by their learning environment. The presence of the dame’s large broom looming nearby further emphasizes the seriousness of education and the importance of good behavior within this formative setting.

This delightful figure is not just a piece of pottery; it is a snapshot of social history, capturing the essence of education in early 19th-century England. Made in Staffordshire around 1820, it is a rare and sought-after collectible that reflects both artistic skill and historical significance.

Current condition: Some excellent professional restoration at the book by Ceramic Conservationists to the British Royal Family.

Provenance: Retains the label of the Herbert and Nancy Hunt Collection.