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ID #SA1068958
FOR SALE
£900
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Rare Staffordshire Figure of Benjamin Franklin Named "Washington", C. 1860
Gillers Antiques Ltd
for sale €1,053     $1,143
£900
Gillers Antiques Ltd

Gillers Antiques Ltd

Sellingantiques Verified Since Mar 2023
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Rare Staffordshire Figure of Benjamin Franklin Named "Washington", C. 1860

19th century
Description

Rare antique Staffordshire pottery figure of Benjamin Franklin, mislabelled as George Washington.



Made in England, c. 1860, mid-Victorian period.



Polychrome enamelling and gilding to the figurine including a cobalt blue jacket, vest with hand-painted flowers, gold-striped breeches, and black shoes. Franklin is carrying a tricorn hat in his left hand and a scroll in his right. Franklin was a diplomat in the court of Louis XVI when the U.S. signed its first treaty with a foreign power and is often depicted carrying diplomatic papers.



Gilded accents and signed “Washington” to base in gold.

According to the entry for a similar figure at the American Philosophical Society, this ceramic figurine is an adaptation of François Marie Suzanne's 1793 terracotta statuette of Benjamin Franklin. Suzanne's model was frequently reproduced with variations of costume and poses. In Staffordshire, a ceramics manufacturing centre in northwest England, the figure was misidentified as "George Washington," and the misnomer stuck. According to experts in Staffordshire pottery, figures labelled as Washington and actually resembling the first US president are extremely rare.



Height 40 cm

Width 13 cm

Depth 12 cm



Condition - Small cracks to the bottom of the legs; small chip to the newspaper; hairline crack on right cheek; wear to gilding; some crazing appropriate to age. Otherwise in excellent antique condition.



Please study the accompanying photographs carefully as they form an integral part of this description.



The item will be shipped with full tracking and insurance. It is important to note that shipping costs include labour, packaging and postage.



UK delivery is £20.



We provide worldwide shipping, please get in touch for a quote.





Physical Dimensions
Height
40cm (15.75")
Width
13cm (5.12")
Depth
12cm (4.72")
Declaration

Gillers Antiques Ltd has dated this Staffordshire Benjamin Franklin Figure to the 1860s.

Reference Numbers
Sellingantiques Reference
SA1068958
Description
<p>Rare antique Staffordshire pottery figure of Benjamin Franklin, mislabelled as George Washington.

Made in England, c. 1860, mid-Victorian period.

“
Polychrome enamelling and gilding to the figurine including a cobalt blue jacket, vest with hand-painted flowers, gold-striped breeches, and black shoes.
Gillers Antiques Ltd

Franklin is carrying a tricorn hat in his left hand and a scroll in his right. Franklin was a diplomat in the court of Louis XVI when the U.S. signed its first treaty with a foreign power and is often depicted carrying diplomatic papers.

fig 1. A Victorian Staffordshire earthenware figure of Benjamin Franklin standing in a cobalt blue coat and holding a tricorn hat, set on a pedestal inscribed Washington.
fig 1. Rare Staffordshire Figure of Benjamin Franklin Named "Washington", C. 1860

Gilded accents and signed “Washington” to base in gold.

According to the entry for a similar figure at the American Philosophical Society, this ceramic figurine is an adaptation of François Marie Suzanne's 1793 terracotta statuette of Benjamin Franklin. Suzanne's model was frequently reproduced with variations of costume and poses. In Staffordshire, a ceramics manufacturing centre in northwest England, the figure was misidentified as "George Washington," and the misnomer stuck. According to experts in Staffordshire pottery, figures labelled as Washington and actually resembling the first US president are extremely rare.

fig 2. A Victorian Staffordshire earthenware figure of Benjamin Franklin standing in a cobalt blue coat and holding a tricorn hat, set on a pedestal inscribed Washington.
fig 2. Rare Staffordshire Figure of Benjamin Franklin Named "Washington", C. 1860

Height 40 cm

Width 13 cm

Depth 12 cm

Condition - Small cracks to the bottom of the legs; small chip to the newspaper; hairline crack on right cheek; wear to gilding; some crazing appropriate to age. Otherwise in excellent antique condition.

fig 3. A Victorian Staffordshire earthenware figure of Benjamin Franklin standing in a cobalt blue coat and holding a tricorn hat, set on a pedestal inscribed Washington.
fig 3. Rare Staffordshire Figure of Benjamin Franklin Named "Washington", C. 1860

Please study the accompanying photographs carefully as they form an integral part of this description.

The item will be shipped with full tracking and insurance. It is important to note that shipping costs include labour, packaging and postage.

fig 4. A Victorian Staffordshire earthenware figure of Benjamin Franklin standing in a cobalt blue coat and holding a tricorn hat, set on a pedestal inscribed Washington.
fig 4. Rare Staffordshire Figure of Benjamin Franklin Named "Washington", C. 1860

UK delivery is £20.

We provide worldwide shipping, please get in touch for a quote.

Height
40cm (15.75")
Width
13cm (5.12")
Depth
12cm (4.72")
Date of Manufacture

Gillers Antiques Ltd has dated this Staffordshire Benjamin Franklin Figure to the 1860s.

Reference Numbers
Sellingantiques Ref
SA1068958
Gillers Antiques Ltd
Gillers Antiques Ltd
Sellingantiques verified Since Mar 2023
Dealer Profile

You can view the stock and full dealer information on the Gillers Antiques Ltd Profile Page

Relevant Links
PDF SHARE
SAVE
A Victorian Staffordshire earthenware figure of Benjamin Franklin standing in a cobalt blue coat and holding a tricorn hat, set on a pedestal inscribed Washington.
1 / 12
Archive I A Victorian Staffordshire earthenware figure of Benjamin Franklin standing in a cobalt blue coat and holding a tricorn hat, set on a pedestal inscribed Washington.

Rare Staffordshire Figure of Benjamin Franklin Named "Washington", C. 1860

Archive II A Victorian Staffordshire earthenware figure of Benjamin Franklin standing in a cobalt blue coat and holding a tricorn hat, set on a pedestal inscribed Washington. View II
Archive III A Victorian Staffordshire earthenware figure of Benjamin Franklin standing in a cobalt blue coat and holding a tricorn hat, set on a pedestal inscribed Washington. View III
Archive IV A Victorian Staffordshire earthenware figure of Benjamin Franklin standing in a cobalt blue coat and holding a tricorn hat, set on a pedestal inscribed Washington. View IV
Archive V A Victorian Staffordshire earthenware figure of Benjamin Franklin standing in a cobalt blue coat and holding a tricorn hat, set on a pedestal inscribed Washington. View V
Archive VI A Victorian Staffordshire earthenware figure of Benjamin Franklin standing in a cobalt blue coat and holding a tricorn hat, set on a pedestal inscribed Washington. View VI
Archive VII A Victorian Staffordshire earthenware figure of Benjamin Franklin standing in a cobalt blue coat and holding a tricorn hat, set on a pedestal inscribed Washington. View VII
Archive VIII A Victorian Staffordshire earthenware figure of Benjamin Franklin standing in a cobalt blue coat and holding a tricorn hat, set on a pedestal inscribed Washington. View VIII
Archive IX A Victorian Staffordshire earthenware figure of Benjamin Franklin standing in a cobalt blue coat and holding a tricorn hat, set on a pedestal inscribed Washington. View IX
Archive X A Victorian Staffordshire earthenware figure of Benjamin Franklin standing in a cobalt blue coat and holding a tricorn hat, set on a pedestal inscribed Washington. View X
Archive XI A Victorian Staffordshire earthenware figure of Benjamin Franklin standing in a cobalt blue coat and holding a tricorn hat, set on a pedestal inscribed Washington. View XI
Archive XII A Victorian Staffordshire earthenware figure of Benjamin Franklin standing in a cobalt blue coat and holding a tricorn hat, set on a pedestal inscribed Washington. View XII
Enlarged Archival View
Gillers Antiques Ltd

Gillers Antiques Ltd
Telephone 07738 009924
Location
Buckland House
Buntingford
Hertfordshire
SG9 0PY
United Kingdom
Dealer Profile Page sellingantiques.co.uk/gillersantiques
Verified Since Mar 2023
Items For Sale 401
Items Sold 564
Gillers Antiques Ltd
Gillers Antiques Ltd
Verified Since Mar 2023
View Dealer Info
Location: Buckland House, Buntingford, Hertfordshire, SG9 0PY, United Kingdom
Profile: sellingantiques.co.uk/gillersantiques
Verified
Mar 2023
For Sale
401
Sold
564
A Victorian Staffordshire earthenware figure of Benjamin Franklin standing in a cobalt blue coat and holding a tricorn hat, set on a pedestal inscribed Washington.
Rare Staffordshire figure of Benjamin Franklin named "Washington", c. 1860
Ref: SA1068958
A Victorian Staffordshire earthenware figure of Benjamin Franklin standing in a cobalt blue coat and holding a tricorn hat, set on a pedestal inscribed Washington.
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FAQs

Victorian Staffordshire figures are press-moulded earthenware ornaments produced in Staffordshire, England, throughout the 19th century. They were created as accessible decorative items for Victorian homes and often portrayed political figures, royalty, historical icons, and folk characters.

These figures were primarily made from white earthenware decorated with underglaze and overglaze enamel paints. Details were often embellished with liquid gilding, and the entire piece was finished with a clear lead glaze.

Authentic pieces generally feature small vent holes in the back or base, showing signs of hand-painting, crazing in the lead glaze, and moderate wear along unglazed rim bases. Misspelled or incorrect titles on the base were also common due to manual transcription by factory painters.

Victorian portrait figures work well styled as singular accent pieces on bookshelves, mantlepieces, or desk arrangements. Pairing traditional glazed earthenware alongside contemporary art or minimalist decor creates visual contrast within a transitional space.

Clean the surface gently using a soft, dry microfibre cloth to dust the figure. Avoid submerging the piece in water or using harsh chemical cleaners, as water can seep through fine crazing lines and damage underlying unglazed earthenware or delicate overglaze gilding.
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