In the 18th and 19th century every house had a fireplace, and therefore a mantlepiece, and in the grander houses, several mantlepieces. These, along with shelves and cabinets, would be decorated with all manner of things from clocks, candlesticks, photograph frames and pottery and brass ornaments.
 
This is a Staffordshire flat back figure, so called because it was designed for a mantle piece,  the back of the figure not needing to be decorated. This would also keep the price down of manufacture thus making it assessable to the masses.
 
This is a flat back figure of a man on horseback.
 
General good condition with some gilding rubbed
 
Dimensions: 28cm x 21cm