Antique Staffordshire Scottish Highland Hunter on Horseback, c.1860

A spectacular oversized Victorian Staffordshire equestrian figure depicting a Scottish Highland hunter returning from the hunt, seated astride his horse with a stag draped beneath the rider. Dating to approximately 1860–1870, this monumental 15-inch example is unusually large and has tremendous decorative presence.

Rendered primarily in creamy white glazed earthenware, the figure retains its wonderfully naive hand-painted details—from the hunter’s elongated plumed bonnet and black hair to the horse’s expressive face and subtle traces of original decoration. Generations of crazing, surface wear and small imperfections give the piece exactly the character we love in early Staffordshire.

At fifteen inches tall, this is far more substantial than the Staffordshire figures most often encountered and makes an exceptional statement piece for an English country interior, equestrian collection or layered library vignette.

CONDITION
Antique condition with extensive age-appropriate crazing, surface wear, scattered losses to painted and gilt decoration, and other imperfections consistent with approximately 160 years of age. The rider’s head appears to have been previously detached and has been professionally restored at the neck. The restoration was exceptionally well executed and is quite difficult to detect when the piece is displayed. Additional age-related imperfections are present and contribute to the character of the piece.

SIZE
Approximately 10"L × 4"D × 15"H.

PROVENANCE
English, Victorian era, circa 1860–1870.

MAKER
Staffordshire, England. Unmarked, as is typical of many Staffordshire figures of this period.

MATERIAL
Glazed earthenware pottery with hand-painted enamel and traces of gilt decoration.

STYLING SUGGESTIONS
This piece was made for the English country house. Give it pride of place on a reclaimed oak library table, console or substantial mantel alongside worn leather books, preserved boxwood and antique brass. Its creamy palette works beautifully against dark woods and rich greens, while the sporting subject makes it particularly compelling in an equestrian library, hunt room or collected Ralph Lauren-inspired interior.