c1855 Staffordshire Pottery Figure Napoleon & Prince Albert

An interesting c1855 British Staffordshire Pottery Flatback Figure celebrating ‘La Belle Alliance’ (the Good Alliance) between Britain and France.

The figure represents Prince Albert (Queen Victoria’s Consort) shaking hands with Napoleon III. Behind them are the crossed flags of Britain and France, although the artist may have been a little drunk when he painted the Union flag. La Belle Alliance came about from the Common Cause in the Crimean War. Interestingly, the Staffordshire flatback has two paper labels on the back. One of them is from the Bridgehouse Galleries in Manchester where it was exhibited. The other label is one for Granada Television, where it was exhibited on the 19th February, 1960. Condition is very good, with minimal wear. There is crazing to the pottery throughout.

Size: 19 x 8 x 35.5 cm (7 ½ x 3 1/8 x 14 inches)
Weight: 1405g