A superb late 18thc/early 19thc. . Staffordshire Pearlware figure of Cleopatra or Ariadne reclining on rockwork, a serpent coiled around her left arm, raised on a rectangular pseudo marbled base, unmarked.  
Myrna Scholne Lit:- Anthony & Cleopatra are the tragic lovers in William Shakespeare's Anthony & Cleopatra.  This model is taken from a statue in the Courtyard of Statues (Cortile delle Statue) at the Vatican.  Because the statue has a bracelet in the form of a serpent it was believed to represent Cleopatra, but in the 1700s Ennio Quirino Viscontin recognised the original statue as depicting Ariadne. Her robe in in a vibrant pink.  It is the most beautiful well modelled figure.
Measurements: Length, 11.5", Height 8", width 3.75". 
circa 1790-1800
Condition: No restoration, tip on end of snake missing, tiny nibbles to edge see photograph 5142a.