Staffordshire Style Romantic Couple in the Garden Figurine | Bocage Pottery Arbor Scene | Victorian Revival Flatback

Staffordshire Style Romantic Garden Couple with Bocage Arbor

Charming and theatrical, this Staffordshire-style pottery figurine captures a tender garden scene beneath an arch of leafy boughs and hand-applied floral “spaghetti” bocage. Seated close together, the young couple evokes the sentiment and storytelling typical of 19th-century Staffordshire mantel figures.

The gentleman wears a feathered cap, deep blue jacket, striped breeches, and lavender stockings, while his companion’s auburn hair falls over a white gown delicately painted with red blossoms and green leaves. His arm rests affectionately around her shoulder, creating a quiet moment of romance framed by the lush arbor.

The raised floral decoration is formed using the traditional bocage (often called “spaghetti art”) technique, a hallmark of classic Staffordshire pottery. The figure features a fully glazed and painted surface with a flat back, designed for mantel or shelf display.

While often attributed to Romeo and Juliet, some scholars note the figures more closely resemble Lorenzo and Jessica from Shakespeare’s The Merchant of Venice, adding a literary and theatrical appeal for collectors.

🌿 Collector’s Note: Staffordshire bocage figures have decorated English mantels since the 1800s. Even later revival pieces like this one are prized for their storytelling charm and cheerful cottage-garden color — they instantly warm a room.