Figure, of fishwife

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This earthenware figure of a fishwife was made around the 1820s or 1830s, probably at Thomas Rathbone's Pottery at Portobello in Midlothian.

The fishwife stands behind her creel, selling fish. The green base extends upwards to provide support for the figure's legs.

Figures such as this seem to have been made at several factories, although there is no known marked example. They are traditionally said to have been modelled on actual fishwives working in ports such as Leith and Newhaven.

Record details

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• Online ID: 000-100-003-257-C
• Image Rights Holder: National Museums Scotland
• Project: National Museums Scotland
  Project description   View all records in project
• Ref: National Museums Scotland  H.MEK 226
• Date: Around 1820s-30s
  
• Material: Multicoloured glazed earthenware
  Figurine, ornamental / fishwife
  
• Dimensions: 205 mm H x 115 mm W (base)
  
• What: Figurine, ornamental / fishwife
  
• Subject: Post-medieval pottery and porcelain (NMAS Classification)
  
• Who: Mrs Janet Paterson (From her collection)
  Rathbone, Portobello, Edinburgh (Maker)
  
• Where: Scotland, Midlothian, Edinburgh
  
• Event:
• Description: Multicoloured glazed moulded earthenware figure of a fishwife selling from a creel, made by Rathbone of Portobello
  
• References:
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