Description:

Uncle Tom & Eva Anti-Slavery Staffordshire Porcelain Figure

A Staffordshire multi-figural item depicting Uncle Tom and Eva, the principal characters of Harriet Beecher Stowe's explosive anti-slavery novel "Uncle Tom's Cabin; Or, Life Among the Lowly" (1852). N.d. but ca. 1850-1870. Staffordshire, England. No visible maker's mark. Porcelain with hand-painted glaze in multiple colors and gilt, with a transferware quote from "Uncle Tom's Cabin" on the front edge of the round base as: "Eva. O Uncle Tom! what funny things / you are making there! / Tom. 'I'm trying to write to my poor / old woman, Miss Eva and my little chil'em / but, somehow, I'm feared I shan't make it out.'" Expected wear including minor crazing and isolated darkening to some lighter areas. Isolated minor flaking to the figures' heads, particularly the hair. Else very good to near fine. 7.5" high. 3.5" diameter.

A significant plot driver of "Uncle Tom's Cabin" concerns the unlikely friendship between Uncle Tom, a middle-aged Black slave, and Evangeline St. Clare, a small White child from New Orleans. The grouping depicts the heart-breaking moment from Chapter 11: "Tom Writes A Letter," in which Uncle Tom unsuccessfully attempts to pen a letter to his family with the preschool girl's help. The chapter concludes happily when Augustine St. Clare, Uncle Tom's master and Eva's father, offers to write Tom's letter himself.

The tremendous popularity of "Uncle Tom's Cabin" among American and British readers resulted in the development of its own subculture. In addition to inspiring sheet music, plays, printed and embroidered textiles, vases, and lighting fixture bases, Uncle Tom characters were depicted in card games, puzzles, tableware, cast-metal sculpture, and of course, Staffordshire figurines. By one account there are no fewer than 15 Staffordshire groupings depicting characters from "Uncle Tom's Cabin."

This item comes with a Certificate from John Reznikoff, a premier authenticator for both major 3rd party authentication services, PSA and JSA (James Spence Authentications), as well as numerous auction houses.

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February 21, 2024 10:30 AM EST
Wilton, CT, US

University Archives

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Bid Increments
From: To: Increments:
$0 $99 $10
$100 $299 $20
$300 $499 $25
$500 $999 $50
$1,000 $1,999 $100
$2,000 $2,999 $200
$3,000 $4,999 $250
$5,000 $9,999 $500
$10,000 $19,999 $1,000
$20,000 $49,999 $2,500
$50,000 + $5,000