ENGLISH STAFFORDSHIRE HAND-PAINTED CERAMIC FIGURAL SPILL VASES, LOT OF FIVE, each on ovoid base and molded tree to back, comprising one example featuring a milkmaid standing beside a cow and stream, one example depicting Little Red Riding Hood with wolf, one example featuring a musician couple with dog and two sheep below, one group example depicting a hunter figure holding a rabbit, a girl sitting on a fence, and an attentive greyhound below, and one example portraying Joseph and the Virgin Mary astride a donkey. Second/third quarter 19th century. 14 3/8" HOA.
Literature: Parallels the Hardings - Victorian Staffordshire Figures, 1835-1875, Book Two, Joseph/Mary p. 34, fig. 1743; hunter/greyhound p. 78, fig. 1924.
Provenance: From an Alexandria, VA collection.

Little Red Riding Hood with minor hairline to base underside; hunter example with minute paint touch-up and hairline to base underside; milkmaid example having some professional restoration including cow's horn/ear, back leg, and one foot; musicians example having hairline partially encircling woman and one to top of head, and minute flake to base edge; Joseph/Mary example with professional restoration to tree vase and hairline extending across horse; some having minor expected wear to enamel and/or gilt decorations and crazing. Some having manufacturing flaws including firing separations, as made.