Magnificent 'The Lion Slayer' Staffordshire flatback of the famous Scottish hunter, Roualeyn George Gordon-Cumming (1820-1866), a famous Scottish traveller, hunter and sportsman known as the 'lion slayer' and author of the book 'The Lion Hunter of South Africa'.  Gordon-Cumming was described by David Livingshone as a 'mad sort of Scotchman'. Made by Sampson Smith in the 1850s in Longton, Staffordshire, England. This figure is the same as one in the Potteries Museum and Art Gallery, Stoke-on-Trent which has the world's foremost collection of Staffordshire pottery.  From  "Victorian Staffordshire Figures 1835 - 75 ~ Book 2 ~ Fig. 1904" Harding describes this figure as  'A Scotsman with a claymore holding a lion by its back paw; standing aside the defeated beast and wearing a kilt, polychrome decorated predominantly in green, orange, black and purple, titled to the gilt lined base.'  Very nicely colored example of this particular figure.  c. mid-1800s. 

17" H by 8" W by 4" D  

This item is in good antique condition. Cracks around neck area and lower left leg. Some imperfections and crazing due to aging and the firing process. Please review the pictures as they form an integral part of the description.

This item has been dated according to available information and using judgement and past experience. Items like this one were made over several decades so it is usually not possible to provide a definitive date of manufacture.