Collection of 19th-century Staffordshire pottery set to sell

A huge collection of 19th-century Staffordshire pottery, painstakingly assembled over four decades, will go under the hammer at Browns Auctioneers in Hawick in the Scottish Borders in February.

An auctioneer holding a Staffordshire pottery figurine of Ellen Blight the Lion Tamer
Angus Milner-Brown from Browns auctioneers with a figurine of Ellen Blight the Lion Tamer. Credit Phil Wilkinson

Comprising over 1,000 fascinating pieces, and one of Scotland’s largest and most significant private collections, the pottery was collected by the late Sheila Brooks, a Kelso hotelier and renowned ceramics enthusiast.

A pair of mid 19th-century leopards, attributed to The Turquoise Factory
A rare pair of mid 19th-century leopards, attributed to The Turquoise Factory

Staffordshire potters thrived during the 19th century, particularly from 1820 to 1890, creating figures that reflected popular culture, current events, and entertainment, offering a window into Victorian life, capturing scenes of celebrity, tragedy and the everyday.

A rare pair of lion figurines (circa 1850), part of the Sheila Brooks collection of Staffordshire pottery
A rare pair of lion figurines (circa 1850), part of the Sheila Brooks collection of Staffordshire pottery

Using ingenious techniques and cleverly purposing moulds for economy, they crafted pieces ranging from mantelpiece spaniels to depictions of Napoleonic heroes. Sheila Brooks’ collection embodies the full spectrum of Staffordshire artistry, featuring humorous caricatures, poignant historical figures, exotic animals and royal portraits.

A Staffordshire Pottery Portrait Figure, modelled as Ellen Blight in the role of 'Death of The Lion Queen', circa 1850
A very rare and historical Staffordshire Pottery portrait figure, modelled as Ellen Blight in the role of ‘Death of The Lion Queen’, circa 1850

Highlights of the collection include:

  • Ellen Blight, “The Lion Queen”: A compelling tribute to the Victorian circus performer tragically mauled by her own tiger. Possibly one of the most well known and celebrated historical Staffordshire figures, Ellen Blight at the age of 16 became a professional lion tamer. She tragically was killed by her own tiger mid way through her performance. Following her death Queen Victoria forbade any further similar shows at Windsor. This piece is sometimes referred to as Ellen Chapman, her predecessor. Most versions of this piece have the leaping beast decorated as a leopard and not a lion or tiger.
  • Isaac Van Amburgh, the Lion Tamer: Famous for placing his head in a lion’s mouth, Van Amburgh was an international sensation whose bravery inspired several Staffordshire figures.
  • A gruesome tale of justice: This chilling figure recounts the public execution of Thomas Collier, the last man hanged in Stafford after a shocking act of violence. Sometimes titled William Smith and Thomas Collier, both figures standing in an arbour, one with a pistol and spaniel, the other holding his musket, painted in colours, 34cm high. Thomas Collier was a convicted poacher, hung in 1866, for the brutal murder of William Smith, a local gamekeeper.
  • Victorian icons: The collection also includes celebrated figures such as Queen Victoria, Lord Nelson, and Captain James Cook, as well as Master M’Grath, the legendary greyhound and triple Waterloo Cup champion.
  • Rare pieces: Among the collection’s most exceptional finds is a pair of leopards painted in a striking turquoise glaze, attributed to a workshop known as the Turquoise Factory

The collection also boasts a rich variety of animal depictions, from beloved household pets like pugs, mastiffs, and saluki to creatures such as giraffes and zebras.

A Staffordshire Pottery Flatback Arbour Figure Group, modelled as Poachers, mid 19th century, sometimes titled William Smith and Thomas Collier, both figures standing in an arbour, one with a pistol and spaniel, the other holding his musket, painted in colours, 34cm high
A Staffordshire Pottery Flatback Arbour Figure Group, modelled as Poachers, mid 19th century, sometimes titled William Smith and Thomas Collier, both figures standing in an arbour, one with a pistol and spaniel, the other holding his musket, painted in colours, 34cm high. Thomas Collier was a convicted poacher, hung in 1866, for the brutal murder of William Smith, a local gamekeeper. Collier was apparently the last man hanged in Stafford.

Browns’ Valuer, Angus Milner-Brown, said; “According to the Staffordshire Figure Association, this is the biggest private collection of 19th-century Staffordshire pottery ever to come to market in Scotland. Sheila Brooks was a highly respected figure among ceramics collectors. Her passion and expert eye for rare and unusual Staffordshire pottery resulted in a collection of immense historical and artistic significance. Each piece has its own story, and some are so rare they’ve challenged even our reference materials. Cataloguing this collection has been a fascinating journey.”

A rare and evocative Staffordshire Pearlware Group, modelled as Bull Baiting, circa 1820, manner of Obadiah Sherratt, realistically modelled with an angry bull fending off a mastiff or bull dog, on a grassy base, painted in colours, 13cm high
A rare and evocative Staffordshire Pearlware Group, modelled as Bull Baiting, circa 1820, manner of Obadiah Sherratt, realistically modelled with an angry bull fending off a mastiff or bull dog, on a grassy base, painted in colours, 13cm high

The Sheila Brooks Staffordshire Collection will be auctioned on February 22 and will feature around 400 lots, with estimates ranging from £20 to £1,000.