{"meta":{"version":"2.1","_links":{"self":{"href":"https://api.vam.ac.uk/v2/object/O109508"},"collection_page":{"href":"https://collections.vam.ac.uk/item/O109508/"}},"images":{"_primary_thumbnail":"https://framemark.vam.ac.uk/collections/2006AB9164/full/!100,100/0/default.jpg","_iiif_image":"https://framemark.vam.ac.uk/collections/2006AB9164/","_alt_iiif_image":[],"imageResolution":"high","_images_meta":[{"assetRef":"2006AB9164","copyright":"© Victoria and Albert Museum, London","sensitiveImage":false}]},"see_also":{"_iiif_pres":"https://iiif.vam.ac.uk/collections/O109508/manifest.json","_alt_iiif_pres":[]}},"record":{"systemNumber":"O109508","accessionNumber":"S.197-1998","objectType":"Figurine","titles":[],"summaryDescription":"Earthenware flatbacks and figurines for mantelpiece decoration were first produced in  Staffordshire in the mid-1830s.  The earliest datable figures appear to be of Queen Victoria, and although a few figures were produced after her death in 1901, few appear to have been produced after 1905.  During their heyday however they were produced in vast numbers, usually modelled after prints.  They represented a wide variety of subjects but those of actors and actresses were especially popular.\r\n\r\nThis probably represents William Charles Macready (1793-1873) as Rob Roy Macgregor, a character from Sir Walter Scott's novel <i>Rob Roy</i> first published in 1817 and dramatised several times, notably in J. Pocock's operatic version at Covent Garden Theatre in 1818 and again in 1831.  The story is set before the Jacobite uprising of 1715 when Rob Roy Macregor helps foil a plot by Rashleigh Hilderbrand to steal his family fortunes, and Diana Vernon. Macready first played the part in 1818 and it became one of his favourite roles. It is similar to another flatback [S.331-1984] but has an axe instead of a dirk, and a sporran.","physicalDescription":"Glazed earthenware figure of Rob Roy Macgregor standing with his legs apart on an integral base on which the words ROB ROY feature in gold paint.  He wears a large tam-o'shanter style hat featuring plumes and wears a breastplate, sash, kilt and sporran.  In his right hand he holds an axe, and on his left arm a shield.","artistMakerPerson":[{"name":{"text":"Unknown","id":"A1848"},"association":{"text":"","id":""},"note":""}],"artistMakerOrganisations":[],"artistMakerPeople":[],"materials":[{"text":"earthenware","id":"x29356"},{"text":"glaze","id":"AAT15091"}],"techniques":[],"materialsAndTechniques":"Moulded and glazed earthenware, with painted decoration","categories":[{"text":"Entertainment & Leisure","id":"THES48959"},{"text":"Figures & Decorative ceramics","id":"THES48954"},{"text":"Scotland","id":"THES262877"}],"styles":[],"collectionCode":{"text":"T&P","id":"THES48602"},"images":["2006AB9164"],"imageResolution":"high","galleryLocations":[{"current":{"text":"001","id":"THES355443"},"free":"","case":"","shelf":"","box":""}],"partTypes":[[{"text":"figurines","id":"AAT47455"}]],"contentWarnings":[{"apprise":"","note":""}],"placesOfOrigin":[{"place":{"text":"Staffordshire","id":"x29181"},"association":{"text":"made","id":"x28654"},"note":""}],"productionDates":[{"date":{"text":"ca.1840","earliest":"1835-01-01","latest":"1844-12-31"},"association":{"text":"made","id":"x28654"},"note":""}],"associatedObjects":[],"creditLine":"Bequeathed by Almaza Gertrude Morton","dimensions":[{"dimension":"Height","value":"34.3","unit":"cm","qualifier":"","date":{"text":"","earliest":null,"latest":null},"part":"","note":""}],"dimensionsNote":"","marksAndInscriptions":[{"content":"ROB ROY","inscriber":{"name":{"text":"","id":""},"association":{"text":"","id":""}},"date":{"text":"","earliest":null,"latest":null},"description":"","interpretation":"","language":"","medium":"","method":"","position":"","script":"","translation":"","transliteration":"","type":"","note":"Letters raised in the mould and gilt"}],"objectHistory":"Sir Walter Scott published his novel <i>Rob Roy</i> in 1817.  The novel was dramatised several times, most notably in J. Pocock's operatic version which was performed at Covent Garden Theatre in 1818 and again in 1831.  The story is set before the Jacobite uprising of 1715 when Rob Roy Macregor helps foil a plot by Rashleigh Hilderbrand to steal his family fortunes and Diana Vernon.\r\n\r\nRob Roy Macgegor was a farmer at Balquhidder.  After his herds were stolen he formed a band of men to protect his and other farmers' cattle.  After borrowing money from the Duke of Montrose to buy more catle, he could not repay the debt and the Duke siezed his house and lands.  Macgregor, feeling cheated, gathered the other clans and declared war on the Duke.  The stories of his attacks and escapes became legendary.  Finally he gained protection from the Duke of Argyll and changed his name to Campbell.\r\n\r\nVarious figures of Rob Roy Macgregor, Helen Macgregor and Diana Vernon were produced in the mid 19th century.  This figure is very similar to another one in which the sword is relaced by a dirk and he is not wearing a sporran.","historicalContext":"","briefDescription":"Glazed earthenware figurine of Rob Roy Macgregor, the hero of Sir Walter Scott's novel <i>Rob Roy</i> published in 1817 and dramatised in various forms, notably in J. Pocock's operatic version, Covent Garden Theatre 1818 and 1831.  Possiby modelled after William Charles Macready (1793-1873) in the role. Staffordshire, c.1840.","bibliographicReferences":[{"reference":{"text":"","id":""},"details":"","free":"Victoria Staffordshire Figures 1835-1875 by A & N Harding.  Book 1.  Page 283, fig.1035"},{"reference":{"text":"","id":""},"details":"","free":"Victorian Staffordshire Fugures 1835-1875 Book 1.  A & N. Harding"}],"production":"","productionType":{"text":"","id":""},"contentDescription":"","contentPlaces":[],"associatedPlaces":[],"contentPerson":[{"text":"Macready, William Charles","id":"N2622"}],"associatedPerson":[{"text":"Walter Scott","id":"N1289"}],"contentOrganisations":[],"associatedOrganisations":[],"contentPeople":[],"associatedPeople":[],"contentEvents":[],"associatedEvents":[],"contentOthers":[],"contentConcepts":[],"contentLiteraryRefs":["Rob Roy"],"galleryLabels":[],"partNumbers":["S.197-1998"],"accessionNumberNum":"197","accessionNumberPrefix":"S","accessionYear":1998,"otherNumbers":[],"copyNumber":"","aspects":["WHOLE"],"assets":[],"recordModificationDate":"2026-02-09","recordCreationDate":"2005-02-22","availableToBook":true}}