Staffordshire Figure of St. Peter with Bocage, 1830s

• Pearlware - Pearlware is a type of earthenware pottery that was developed in the late 18th century in England, made from a mixture of clay, flint, and other materials, and is distinguished by its smooth, creamy white glaze. The glaze has a pearlescent quality, which is how the pottery got its name.
  
  Pearlware was developed as a more affordable alternative to porcelain, which was much more expensive and difficult to produce. It quickly became popular throughout England and Europe, and was exported to other parts of the world as well. It was particularly popular for making tableware, such as plates, bowls, and teapots, as well as decorative objects like figurines and vases.
  
  One of the most distinctive features of pearlware is its blue decoration. Many pieces of pearlware were decorated with blue patterns or designs, often featuring pastoral scenes, floral motifs, or geometric patterns. The blue decoration was typically applied over the white glaze, which created a striking contrast and made the designs stand out.
• Circa - A Latin term meaning 'about', often used in the antique trade to give an approximate date for the piece, usually considered to be five years on either side of the circa year. Thus, circa 1900 means the piece was made about 1900, probably between 1895 and 1905. The expression is sometimes abbreviated to c.1900.
• Bocage - The name given to floral and leaf decoration usually surrounding the main subject in ceramic figures and groups, commonly on 18th century porcelain from the Derby, Bow and Minton works.
• Cartouche - An ornamental panel in the form of of a shield, oval or rectangular scroll with curling edges. It may be carved into the back of a chair or the top of a sideboard, or present on a piece of silver or jewellery, and contain the initials of the original owner, heraldic symbols, or some other inscription, such as the details of a presentation.
  
  In ceramics the term defines the central area of a vase or similar with a decorative border in one of the shapes above, into which a decorative scene or figures have been painted.

This item has been included into following indexes:

• Staffordshire Potteries (England), item types - figures and groups 346