A rare set of three Staffordshire figures of Irish political interest, circa 1898

A rare set of three Staffordshire figures of Irish political interest, circa 1898 Probably by Sampson Smith, comprising Theobald Wolf Tone, Henry Joy McCracken and Lord Edward Fitzgerald, largely left in the white with details picked out in gilding, each standing bare-headed beside a pedestal printed with the Centenary motto ''Who fears to speak of '98' 1798 - 1898', Tone wearing military uniform and holding two polychrome flags across his chest, the others wearing coats and with their hands resting on the pedestals, the bases all titled in gilt script, 35-36.7cm high (3) Footnotes: Theobald Wolf Tone helped to found the United Irishmen in Dublin in 1791 and was adjutant-general in the French expedition to Ireland in 1796. This failed to land and a second expedition surrendered at sea. He was sentenced to death and committed suicide in 1798. McCracken commanded the rebels in Co Antrim in 1798, for which he was arrested, tried and executed. Fitzgerald joined the United Irishmen in 1796, but died from wounds received whilst resisting arrest by the Dublin police in 1798. Similar versions of all three figures are illustrated by P D Gordon Pugh, Staffordshire Portrait Figures (1970), p.B196, figs.51-53. For further information on this lot please visit Bonhams.com For further information about this lot please visit the lot listing