Pair of Derby Figures of Birds, 18th Century Goldfinches

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Pair of Derby Figures of Birds, 18th Century Goldfinches

About the Item

A pair of late 18th century Derby porcelain life-size figures of goldfinches. The goldfinch is an exquisite little bird with a beautiful high-pitched song. Each bird is shown perched on a tree stump which is lightly decorated with leaves and flower heads in pale colors. Modeled facing one another: one bird looks slightly to the right the other slightly to the left. The modeling is crisp and the colors fairly represent the birds plumage. The bottom of each piece is marked with the impressed Derby mark N51. Condition: some color touched in, small chips to a few flowers (see images). Dimensions: 5 inches deep, x 3.25 inches wide x 5.75 inches tall Price $1600 Reference Twitchet "Derby Porcelain" page 77 Illustration 68 History The European goldfinch is a tiny bird found throughout much of Europe, where it frequents gardens and roadsides. And it has the looks to match its sparkling song. Its striking red, white, and black face is set off by yellow and black wings (see images). The name for a group of goldfinches is “a charm.” Their beauty, voices, and flitting flight make this a very appropriate name. The goldfinch (Carduelis carduelis), is featured in European romantic folklore and nearly 500 religious Renaissance works, often pictured with Christ or the Madonna. In 1729 Italian composer Antonio Vivaldi sought to imitate the goldfinch's beautiful high pitched song in a flute concerto. The song of the goldfinch had caught the ear of this Italian composer who is widely celebrated for his exuberant, playful melodies. Vivaldi named the flute concerto Il Gardellino, (The Goldfinch). The concerto challenges the flute to imitate the bird’s silvery trills and sweetly warbled phrases.

Creator:
Royal Crown Derby Porcelain (Manufacturer)
Dimensions:
Height: 5.75 in (14.61 cm)Width: 3.25 in (8.26 cm)Depth: 5 in (12.7 cm)
Sold As:
Set of 2
Style:
Rococo (Of the Period)
Materials and Techniques:
Porcelain,Hand-Painted
Place of Origin:
England
Period:
Late 18th Century
Date of Manufacture:
circa 1790
Condition:
Some color touched in, small chips to a few flowers (see images).
Seller Location:
Katonah, NY
Reference Number:
1stDibs: LU866510310813

Shop All Royal Crown Derby Porcelain

Royal Crown Derby Porcelain

Founded in 1750 by Andrew Planche and William Duesbury in Derby, England, the Royal Crown Derby Porcelain Company is one of the oldest original English manufacturers of fine bone china. Dating to the Georgian era, it has operated for more than 265 years.

In 1761, the company, then called Derby Porcelain, created its first commemorative piece for the coronation of King George III. In 1775, King George III recognized the uniqueness and high quality of Derby Porcelain, giving the company the honor of using a crown on its back stamp. Queen Victoria gave further honors to the porcelain manufacturer in 1890, when she awarded the company a royal warrant and bestowed upon it the title of “The Royal Crown Derby Porcelain Company.”

In the years following the first royal appointment, the company employed some of its finest artistic creators, such as watercolor landscape painter Zachariah Boreman; flower painters William Billingsley, William Pegg and Walter Withers; and figure painters Richard Askew and James Banford. The company produced the most sought-after collectible pieces in its history under the direction of William Duesbury II. He died at 34 and his full vision for the company went unrealized; it subsequently entered a period of decline.

In 1811, Robert Bloor revived the company by employing excellent painters and producing exquisite serving pieces that featured the Japanese Imari style of bold colors and lavish details. The popular design continues to be produced today. Modern pieces such as the paperweight collection also remain in demand more than 40 years after their introduction.

Under the creative control of different partners over time, the company has had three main locations. Its current base of operations is in Derby, where it continues to produce fine ceramics and decorative collectibles.

On 1stDibs, find a selection of Royal Crown Derby Porcelain Company bowls and baskets, dinner plates, centerpieces and more.

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