A STAFFORDSHIRE PEARLWARE FIGURE GROUP OF BULL-BAITING

CIRCA 1820

Details

A STAFFORDSHIRE PEARLWARE FIGURE GROUP OF BULL-BAITING
Circa 1820
Of Sherratt-type, modelled as a bull fighting a dog, another dog tumbling off his shoulders, a barker stands at the right with arms raised enticing the crowd, his partner fallen dangerously below, raised on a rectangular table base moulded with floral swags above six paw feet
13¼ (33.7cm.) wide

Literature

Manheim, pl. no. 24

Lot Essay

See Oliver, p. 43, fig. 49 and 50 for two similar bull-baiting groups attributed to Sherratt. A cruel sport of the day pitted trained fighting dogs or bulldogs against a tethered bull. Spectators were then encouraged to bet upon the outcome. Here the owner or trainer lies ready to be trampled as his partner, the barker or bullward, with raised hat encourages the crowd. Also see Sharp p. 169, an Act of Parliament abolished bull-baiting in 1837. In the same year, the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals was established.

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