Hansons to auction treasured Victorian Staffordshire figures collection
Hansons Auctioneers is delighted to announce the inclusion of a special private collection of Victorian Staffordshire figures in its May Antiques and Collectors Auction commencing on the 15th May 2025, with a second, substantial private collection due to be unveiled later this autumn.
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Victorian Staffordshire figures are widely regarded as one of the most charming and evocative forms of 19th-century British ceramics. Produced predominantly in the small towns of Stoke-on-Trent, known collectively as the Potteries, these decorative pieces were made from earthenware during Queen Victoria’s reign (1837–1901). At the time, they brought character, colour, and culture into everyday homes.
These figures depicted a wide array of subjects—from British and foreign royalty, military leaders, politicians, and actors, to domestic animals, circus performers, and scenes of everyday Victorian life. The figures were designed to be both decorative and accessible, making them immensely popular among the growing middle class of the era.
Victorian Staffordshire figures are traditionally divided into two key types:
Portrait Figures: Often portraying specific individuals of the time—such as Queen Victoria, Prince Albert, generals, lords and ladies, and cultural icons—these were typically decorated on all sides and were proudly displayed in parlours and drawing rooms.
Flatbacks: These were designed with only the front painted, as they were intended to sit flush against a wall or on a mantelpiece. Flatbacks were more affordable and commonly found in the homes of working families, providing a charming and colourful touch to humble interiors.
Animal figures were also produced in great variety, with dogs (especially spaniels and poodles), sheep, cows, goats, and other farm animals among the most frequently depicted. Though many of the makers remain unknown, several potteries have been identified, including James Dudson, Thomas Parr, William Kent, and Alpha.
The collecting of Staffordshire figures peaked between the late 1970s and the 1990s, a golden era when enthusiasts built extensive private collections. While interest waned in the early 2000s, the market has shown a strong revival in recent years.
Hansons Auctioneers has been at the forefront of this resurgence, having handled collections of national and international importance, including those of the late Dennis Silk CBE, Stephen Duckworth, and John McDowell.
Now, Hansons is proud to present a selection from the late Timothy Manderson’s personal collection. His passion for Staffordshire figures began in the 1960s, when he inherited a wooden overmantel and a pair of Staffordshire horse figures from his Aunt Mary. Displayed above the fireplace of a modest Oxfordshire cottage, these pieces sparked a lifelong fascination.
Manderson’s passion led him to London in search of additional figures, where he met the renowned collector, actor, and dealer Anthony Oliver. The two became close friends, and Manderson, then Sales Director at publishing house William Heinemann, commissioned Oliver to write a guide for new collectors.
The result was the now-celebrated reference book The Victorian Staffordshire Figure, published in 1971. A photograph of Manderson’s own collection—complete with the family dog—was featured in the book.
Following his death in 2013, part of his treasured collection was sold. Now, after the recent passing of his widow Carol, Hansons is privileged to offer a further selection of pieces from that original photograph. Each figure reflects the eye of a true connoisseur and a lifetime spent cherishing Victorian craft.
“We’re thrilled to bring this exceptional collection to auction,” said Gillian Finney, Hansons’ Connoisseur Ceramics Consultant. “Timothy Manderson was instrumental in helping raise awareness of Staffordshire figures in the 20th century. His collection reflects the depth and beauty of this art form, and we are honoured to help these pieces find new custodians.”
In addition, Hansons will be offering another significant collection of early and Victorian Staffordshire figures later this year—details to be announced in due course.
