Figure depicting Matthew 'Tom' King
- Object Number: 1980.P.268
- Simple Name: figure
- Production Place: Stoke-on-Trent
- Production Place: Staffordshire
- Production Place: England
- Production Period:
- 19th century, late
- Summary: Figure depicting Matthew 'Tom' King. Riding a horse facing left, with a pistol in his right hand. Earthenware with overglaze painted decoration. 'TOM KING' inscribed to front of base.
- Terms:ceramics
- Terms:figures
- Terms:commemorative
- Terms:heroes & villains
- Terms:crime & punishment
- Terms:18th & 19th Century Staffordshire
- Inscription:
- Credit: P D Gordon Pugh Collection. Purchased with grant in aid from the V&A Purchase Grant Fund, The Art Fund and The Friends of The Potteries Museum & Art Gallery.
- Additional Notes: Tom King was an English highwayman who operated in the Essex and London areas. His real name is thought to have Matthew. His fame rests on his association with Dick Turpin with whom we joined forces. The pair allegedly met when Turpin tried to rob him! During an attempted arrest 1737 King was shot and killed, possibly by Turpin himself. Highwaymen like King and Turpin became popular romantic figures during the 19th century, despite being notorious criminals in their day.
- Contact: Potteries Museum and Art Gallery
