British Figurative Sculptures
to
64
499
76
34
38
241
220
110
41
77
67
6
2
8
20
2
7
10
12
6
12
100
66
28
24
20
14
11
11
8
6
3
2
1
1
214
208
93
92
87
415
167
73,216
10,921
3,558
3,206
1,963
Height
to
Width
to
609
559
561
20
10
9
9
8
Place of Origin: British
John W Mills (1933-2023) Sculpture of ‘Gymnast’
Located in Wormelow, Herefordshire
A large patinated figural sculpture titled ‘Gymnast’ by the acclaimed British sculptor, John W. Mills.
Mounted on a rectangular wooden column base, this maquette is of an impressive structure and scale while showcasing defined attributes to the male gymnast...
Category
Late 20th Century Mid-Century Modern British Figurative Sculptures
Materials
Resin
Royal Worcester Rare China Figure by Freda G Doughty
By Royal Worcester
Located in Bishop's Stortford, Hertfordshire
A delightful porcelain Royal Worcester figure titled CHINA designed by Freda G Doughty and dated 1951. The rare figure portrays a young Chinese child sitting and eating a bowl of ric...
Category
1950s Mid-Century Modern Vintage British Figurative Sculptures
Materials
Porcelain
Large Staffordshire Pottery Figure of Hercules
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A Large Staffordshire Pottery Figure of Hercules, with name on base. This significantly sized figure depicts Hercules with his club casually standing against a classic Staffordshire bocage...
Category
19th Century Victorian Antique British Figurative Sculptures
Materials
Ceramic
Sculpture of 'Standing Figure in the Antique Manner' By John W Mills
Located in Wormelow, Herefordshire
A sculpture of a ’standing figure in the antique manner' by the acclaimed British sculptor, John W. Mills.
Constructed in a patinated resin to resemble stone, this figure is truly a...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Mid-Century Modern British Figurative Sculptures
Materials
Resin
John W. Mills (1933-2023) ‘Gesture’ Freestanding Bronze Figure
Located in Wormelow, Herefordshire
A figurative bronze tabletop sculpture titled ‘Gesture’ by the acclaimed British sculptor, John W. Mills. Signed by the artist, this bronze maquette is freestanding, making it perfec...
Category
Late 20th Century Mid-Century Modern British Figurative Sculptures
Materials
Metal, Bronze
English Staffordshire Figure of Napoleon, circa 1875
Located in New York, NY
English Staffordshire figure of Napoleon, circa 1875. With a traditional pose.
Category
1870s Antique British Figurative Sculptures
Materials
Porcelain
Pair of Figural Candelabra by Elkington, Mason & Co
By Elkington Mason & Co.
Located in London, GB
Pair of figural candelabra by Elkington, Mason & Co
English, circa 1860
Height 44cm, width 26cm, depth 20cm
This pair of three light figural candelabra is made of silvered-bronze. The candelabra take the form of a male and female figure in exotic dress...
Category
19th Century Victorian Antique British Figurative Sculptures
Materials
Silver Plate, Bronze
$47,498 / set
Monumental Pair of Early 19th Century Stone Statues of Saints
Located in London, GB
A stunning and monumental pair of carved stone statues, depicting Saint Mark and Saint Luke
English, circa 1820
The statues stand 2 meters tall, they were originally housed in the e...
Category
Early 19th Century Antique British Figurative Sculptures
Materials
Stone
Staffordshire Figures Of Girls Sitting On Deer
Located in Tampa, FL
A charming pair of Staffordshire figurines featuring girls seated on deer. Staffordshire pottery has a rich history, dating back to the 18th century in the heart of England. Known fo...
Category
1850s Antique British Figurative Sculptures
Materials
Porcelain
XXL ceramic sculpture (1967) by English Artis Francis Hewlett (1930-2012)
Located in HAARLEM, NL
Provocative. Playful. Unforgettable. A sculpture that refuses to be ignored.
Very large solid ceramic piece (side table) by Francis Hewlett (1930-2012). This female figure by Hewlet...
Category
1960s Mid-Century Modern Vintage British Figurative Sculptures
Materials
Ceramic
Antique Regency period bronze figure of a Sphinx on a Sienna marble base
Located in London, GB
A mid-19th Century well-cast Model of the Sphinx of Giza mounted on veined marble base.
Category
Mid-19th Century Egyptian Revival Antique British Figurative Sculptures
Materials
Marble, Bronze
19th Century Classical Figures on Marble Bases
Located in Wormelow, Herefordshire
Two elegant 19th century classical spelter figures on yellow fossilised marble bases, dating to circa 1850.
This decorative pair of classical sculptures – one modelled as a seated f...
Category
Mid-19th Century Neoclassical Antique British Figurative Sculptures
Materials
Marble, Metal, Spelter
John Willis-Good, (British, 1845 - 1879), ‘After The Race’
By John Willis Good
Located in Brighton, West Sussex
John Willis-Good (British, 1845 - 1879)
‘After The Race’.
A Silvered Bronze Equestrian Group Cast By Elkington & Co, Birmingham.
Depicting a racehorse with jockey up, at the dynam...
Category
19th Century Antique British Figurative Sculptures
Materials
Slate, Bronze
John W. Mills (1933-2023) Harlequinade Dancers Sculpture Maquette
Located in Wormelow, Herefordshire
A large figurative sculpture depicting the two dancers, Harlequin and Columbine, by the acclaimed British sculptor, John W. Mills. Part of the artist’s ‘Harlequinade’ series, this is...
Category
Late 20th Century Mid-Century Modern British Figurative Sculptures
Materials
Resin
Holdcroft Heron Flower Stand
By Holdcroft Pottery
Located in New York, NY
Large size Holdcroft heron flower stand. The heron with gray fish in his beak, chest with brown and white coloring. Standing on a gray rock with a green and brown wide rocky base. Im...
Category
19th Century Antique British Figurative Sculptures
Materials
Ceramic
$14,250
ROYAL DOULTON - 'Pecksniff' - Vintage Dickens Figurine - U.K. - Mid 20th Century
By Royal Doulton
Located in Chatham, ON
ROYAL DOULTON - 'Pecksniff' - Vintage Dickens character ceramic figurine - hand painted - signed on the base (back stamp used between 1930 and 1993) - ...
Category
Mid-20th Century Victorian British Figurative Sculptures
Materials
Ceramic
$87 Sale Price
30% Off
Mid 19th Century Staffordshire Soldier on Horse
Located in Charlottesville, VA
A nice piece of Staffordshire. Horse and rider. Circa Mid 19th Century.
Category
Mid-19th Century Antique British Figurative Sculptures
Materials
Ceramic
'Visage' One of a Kind Bronze Sculpture
By RinDesign
Located in London, GB
'Visage' One of a kind bronze sculpture.
Created by Rinat Design, cast in bronze in the lost wax process and fixed into a solid wood bas...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Modern British Figurative Sculptures
Materials
Bronze
Singularly Intriguing Clay Bust Of A Cloaked Woman
Located in Rothley, Leicestershire
A private, calming and quiet piece by an unknown artist
Beautifully crafted and subtly finished with dark green matt glaze
Circa 1980s
Unsigned
Height 9.5 inch, Width 5 inch, Depth 4...
Category
Mid-20th Century Mid-Century Modern British Figurative Sculptures
Materials
Ceramic
19th Century English Staffordshire Spill Vase The Reveal
Located in Tampa, FL
A beautifully modeled and unusually well preserved Staffordshire spill vase from the 19th century titled The Reveal. This piece captures a charming...
Category
1890s Antique British Figurative Sculptures
Materials
Porcelain
A Patinated Bronze Figure Of 'Peter Pan', By Sir George James Frampton
Located in Brighton, West Sussex
Sir George James Frampton (British, 1860-1928)
A Patinated Bronze Statue Of Peter Pan
Depicted playing the pipes and conducting with his right hand. Standing on a naturalistically cast base.
Signed 'G F' in a monogram and 'P P' in a roundel. Dated 1913.
England, Dated 1913.
Provenance:
Gerald Rufus Isaacs, 2nd Marquess of Reading (1889 –1960) and Eva Violet Mond Isaacs, Second Marchioness of Reading (1895–1973).
Thence by descent until sold in 1996.
The present charming statuette of Peter Pan, dated 1913, is an exceptionally fine and early reduction of the life-size bronze exhibited by Frampton at the Royal Academy in 1911. Barrie unveiled the statue in Kensington Gardens on 30 April 1912, without fanfare and without permission, so that it might appear to children that the fairies had put it in place overnight. He published a notice in The Times newspaper the following day, 1 May: "There is a surprise in store for the children who go to Kensington Gardens to feed the ducks in the Serpentine this morning. Down by the little bay on the south-western side of the tail of the Serpentine they will find a May-day gift by Mr J.M. Barrie, a figure of Peter Pan blowing his pipe on the stump of a tree, with fairies and mice and squirrels all around. It is the work of Sir George Frampton...
Category
1910s Vintage British Figurative Sculptures
Materials
Bronze
Pair of 19th Century Staffordshire Scottish Highlander Hunters
By Staffordshire
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Handsome pair of 19th century equestrian Staffordshire porcelain Scottish Highlander hunters on horseback. Each bearded gentleman is depicted seate...
Category
19th Century Edwardian Antique British Figurative Sculptures
Materials
Porcelain
$1,100 Sale Price / set
38% Off
Early 16th Century English oak panel with applied carved head of a Tudor lady
Located in Bakewell, GB
Early 16c English oak panel with applied carved head of a Tudor lady
size 38 cms x 29cms deep and 3cms deep
Category
16th Century Antique British Figurative Sculptures
Materials
Oak
Set of Three Neoclassical Style Plaster Plaques
Located in Wormelow, Herefordshire
Set of three neoclassical style plaster plaques depicting classical scenes. The first plaque shows an elegant urn, while the second is a wolf pack surrounding an impressive tree. The third shows two sweet cherubs or putti surrounded by doting sheep, a leaping deer, and a watchful dog, while more merry putti dance in the background. Made from plaster, these casts were taken from Georgian chimney piece...
Category
Mid-20th Century Georgian British Figurative Sculptures
Materials
Plaster
Opera Theatre Sculpture by Paul Day
Located in Wormelow, Herefordshire
‘Opera’ by celebrated British sculptor Paul Day depicts a theatre scene intricately modelled with terracotta. Signed and dated by the artist, the theatre sculpture reflects Day’s unu...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Modern British Figurative Sculptures
Materials
Clay, Terracotta
Pair of Antique 18th Century Carved Oak Figures
Located in Wormelow, Herefordshire
A pair of antique 18th century carved oak figures.
These were previously part of a panelled room in a house in Hampshire, constructed from earlier pieces of architectural salvage an...
Category
18th Century Country Antique British Figurative Sculptures
Materials
Oak, Wood
Woman & Child Sculpture
Located in London, GB
An English sculpture dating from the mid 20th century of a woman and baby child. Created from steel with welds and metalconstruction techniques on a base of solid marble.
Rather unu...
Category
Mid-20th Century Modern British Figurative Sculptures
Materials
Marble, Steel
$1,302
Prince Edward and Princess Alexandra of Wales by Count Gleichen
By Elkington & Co.
Located in Lymington, Hampshire
These bronze figures show Edward, Prince of Wales, standing in a nonchalant pose with one leg crossed over the other, a cigar in his left hand, his hat at his feet and a shotgun slung over his right arm. The elegant Princess of Wales is depicted skating, with feathers in her hat, and wearing a fur-trimmed coat and muff as the wind catches her three-quarter length skirt. Each stamped Elkington & Co Founders and G 1870. English, dated 1870.
Provenance: Prince Victor of Hohenlohe-Langenburg, Count Gleichen.
Prince Victor of Hohenlohe-Langenburg, Count Gleichen, was the son of Prince Ernst of Hohenlohe-Langenburg and Princess Feodore of Leiningen, half-sister to Queen Victoria. He ran away from school to England in 1848 and was sponsored to enter the Royal Navy by Queen Victoria. In 1854 he attained the rank of Lieutenant after serving as mate on the flagship Cumberland, where his future brother-in-law was captain and his future father-in-law was admiral. In 1866 he retired from the navy and trained with the British sculptor William Theed. As a sculptor, he carried out several portrait commissions for Queen Victoria including a statuette of Prince Alfred, her second son, and another of Prince Albert Victor...
Category
1870s Antique British Figurative Sculptures
Materials
Bronze
Unusual Stylish Antique Bronze Human Female Hand Sculpture
Located in Bishop's Stortford, Hertfordshire
An unusual and very stylish antique bronze human female hand sculpture dating from around 1900. The life size sculpture portrays a female resting hand with nicely groomed nails with ...
Category
Early 20th Century Arts and Crafts British Figurative Sculptures
Materials
Bronze
1960's Industrial Casting Foundry Moulds - Set Of Three Circles
Located in Hook, Hampshire
1960's Industrial Casting Foundry Moulds - Set Of Three Circles.
We recently cleared the Victorian warehouses of Derwent Foundry on the river Derwent in Derbyshire. These amazing sc...
Category
1960s Vintage British Figurative Sculptures
Materials
Sandstone
Circa 1780-1820 English Pair of Bell Form Brass "Door Porters" or Doorstops
Located in Chapel Hill, NC
Circa 1780-1820 pair of bell form brass "door porters" or doorstops, English. Lead filled for weight. George III period. Provenance: J. Collins & Son, Bideford, Devon (CINOA, BADA, &...
Category
Early 19th Century George III Antique British Figurative Sculptures
Materials
Brass, Lead
Pair of English Carved Walnut Wood Figures of Court Jesters, 18th Century
Located in North Miami, FL
A very fine pair of 18th century carved figures, of Court Jesters These bearded gentlemen have been superbly carved in the finest detail, they original came from a piece of early 18th Century Furniture...
Category
18th Century Baroque Antique British Figurative Sculptures
Materials
Wood, Walnut
Classical Plaster Hermes Foot Sculpture by D Brucciani & Co, London
By D. Brucciani and Company
Located in Lambertville, NJ
Early 20th Century classical plaster Hermes foot model impressed "D Brucciani & Co London" and numbered "2504". Signed "P.J. Hone" on the underside. Thi...
Category
Early 20th Century Classical Greek British Figurative Sculptures
Materials
Plaster
19th Century Carved Oak Study of St. Paul the Apostle, English, circa 1860
Located in Central England, GB
This remarkable and very finely carved study of the biblical figure of St Paul, The Apostle who was originally Saul of Tarsus born BCE. Tarsus in Cilicia (now in Turkey). He died circa 62 – 64 CE in Rome, Italy. He was one of the leaders of the first generation Christians and was often considered to be the most important person after Jesus in the history of Christianity. This highly accomplished wood carving is a difficult material for detailing English oak. It shows him standing barefoot and dressed in simple robes with a sword in one hand and a scroll in the other. His face has been well captured with a good expression, detailed hair and a long beard. The small scale of this figure would indicate it was not originally church decoration...
Category
1860s Victorian Antique British Figurative Sculptures
Materials
Oak
Postmodern Dancing Couple Ironwood Solid Wood Carved Sculpture
By Henry Moore
Located in Keego Harbor, MI
A postmodern solid wood carved sculpture depicting a dancing couple. The curved abstract stylization is reminiscent to the sculptures created by modern sculptor Henry Moore. The simp...
Category
20th Century Post-Modern British Figurative Sculptures
Materials
Wood
19th Century Victorian Solid Silver Hunting Trophy, Elkington, circa 1894
By Elkington & Co.
Located in Royal Tunbridge Wells, Kent
Description:
Antique 19th century Victorian solid silver important figural hunting statue, dipicting a huntsman holding a fox and his hounds at his ...
Category
19th Century Victorian Antique British Figurative Sculptures
Materials
Sterling Silver
Unusual Unique Abstract Crucifix Sculpture Formed from 15th Century Nails
Located in Bishop's Stortford, Hertfordshire
An unusual and unique hand crafted English abstract sculptural crucifix made from 15th century hand wrought iron nails recovered during the restoration of an ancient East...
Category
Mid-20th Century Mid-Century Modern British Figurative Sculptures
Materials
Wrought Iron
1930's English Marquee Cinema Letter - U
Located in Hook, Hampshire
1930’s English Marquee Cinema Letter – U.
Classic English cinema letters used at cinemas as signage for the film title, actors and so on. Made in acrylic plastic they slotted into t...
Category
1930s Vintage British Figurative Sculptures
Materials
Plastic
$25 / item
Antique Victorian Solid Silver Pair of Figural Comports, C & G Fox, circa 1852
Located in Royal Tunbridge Wells, Kent
Antique 19th century very rare pair of Victorian novelty cast solid silver and cut-glass comports, formed as a pair of male gardeners dressed in 18th century costume, standing on an elaborate Rococo designed base and both holding a woven flower basket...
Category
19th Century Victorian Antique British Figurative Sculptures
Materials
Sterling Silver
Edith Annie Laidman, Art Nouveau Sculpture of Daphne with Laurel
Located in Montelabbate, PU
Edith Annie Laidman, Art Nouveau Sculpture of Daphne with Laurel, Pelicans and Parrots, Ceramic.
Statue sculpted and modeled by Edith Annie Laidman.
Daphne, a figure of a naked girl ...
Category
1990s Art Nouveau British Figurative Sculptures
Materials
Ceramic
Goldsmiths & Silversmiths Bronze Middle Eastern Man Sculpture
By Goldsmiths & Silversmiths Co. Ltd.
Located in Bishop's Stortford, Hertfordshire
A superb quality antique bronze sculpture of a Middle Eastern gentleman in regal dress by the renowned Goldsmiths & Silversmiths Company, London dating from around 1900. The well cas...
Category
Early 1900s Art Nouveau Antique British Figurative Sculptures
Materials
Bronze
Wedgwood Framed Prince of Wales Black Basalt Portrait
By Josiah Wedgwood
Located in Bishop's Stortford, Hertfordshire
A stunning and very finely produced antique Georgian framed black basalt portrait bust titled Prince of Wales by Wedgwood and dating from around 1780. The framed bust of oval shape i...
Category
1780s Georgian Antique British Figurative Sculptures
Materials
Porcelain
Fine Victorian Alabaster Figure of Napoleon Bonaparte
Located in Lymington, Hampshire
A fine Victorian alabaster figure of Napoleon Bonaparte, Emperor of France, powerfully modelled with his arms folded across his chest, dressed in full military attire with orders, En...
Category
1870s Antique British Figurative Sculptures
Materials
Alabaster
Antique English Bisque Sculpture Signed J. Durham 1814-1877.
By Joseph Durham
Located in Vero Beach, FL
Antique English Bisque Sculpture Signed J. Durham 1814-1877.
Copland bisque sculpture titled, “Go to Sleep“ was made for the Art Union of London. It depicts a charming scene of a yo...
Category
19th Century Romantic Antique British Figurative Sculptures
Materials
Porcelain
$3,000 Sale Price
20% Off
Minton Parian Figure of Don Quixote's "Dorothea" by John Bell
By Minton, John Bell
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Minton Parian figure of Don Quixote's "Dorothea" by John Bell, a fine example of Parian, after a John Bell sculpture.
Category
Mid-19th Century High Victorian Antique British Figurative Sculptures
Materials
Ceramic
$956 Sale Price
20% Off
Fred Cooke for Minton Art Deco Pierrette Porcelain Figurine
By Minton
Located in Bishop's Stortford, Hertfordshire
A rare Minton Art Deco porcelain figurine titled Pierette designed by Fred Cooke and dating from around 1930. This delightful standing figurine stands moun...
Category
1930s Art Deco Vintage British Figurative Sculptures
Materials
Porcelain
Carved Antique Stone Sculpture by a Student of Hugh Casson
Located in Wormelow, Herefordshire
This weathered antique stone sculpture was reputedly carved by a student of 20th century British architect and artist, Sir Hugh Casson. It depi...
Category
Mid-20th Century Neoclassical British Figurative Sculptures
Materials
Stone, Limestone
Pair of Antique Staffordshire Flat Back Figures on Horseback
Located in Suffolk, GB
Pair of antique Staffordshire flat back figures on horseback being a ‘going to market’ subject and ‘returning home’, male and female horse riding pair in period costume sitting on a ...
Category
19th Century Antique British Figurative Sculptures
Materials
Ceramic
$645 Sale Price / set
20% Off
Antique Victorian Staffordshire Toby Pepperpot Figure
Located in Suffolk, GB
Antique Victorian Staffordshire Toby Pepperpot figure with a hole to the base of the figure for pepper and holes to the top of the hat to dispense. ...
Category
19th Century Victorian Antique British Figurative Sculptures
Materials
Ceramic
$298 Sale Price
20% Off
Staffordshire King Charles Spaniel on Leaf Base
By Staffordshire
Located in Chelmsford, Essex
Staffordshire Pottery figure which features a King Charles spaniel, stood on a leaf embellished base. Dull gilt embellishment.
Category
1860s Victorian Antique British Figurative Sculptures
Materials
Earthenware
Lord Mountbatten by Greta Berlin, 1989
Located in Lymington, Hampshire
This bronze is the maquette for a sculpture of Lord Louis Mountbatten wearing a naval duffel coat, peaked cap and sea boots and holding a pair of binoculars. It is set on a highly polished black stone base and inscribed on the back ‘Mountbatten Study, G. Berlin no. 3 of 3’. English, 1989.
We are indebted to Ms Berlin for her kind help in supplying the following information. “I made this piece as a working model, maquette, to show, along with another image, to the clients who were offering the commission for the nine-foot bronze of Lord Mountbatten...
Category
1980s Vintage British Figurative Sculptures
Materials
Bronze
Royal Worcester Scarce Majolica Figural Spill Holder c.1865
By Royal Worcester
Located in Bishop's Stortford, Hertfordshire
A scarce and delightful antique English majolica pottery man carrying a sack spill holder by Royal Worcester and dating from around 1865. The well potted figure stands raised on a wi...
Category
1860s Victorian Antique British Figurative Sculptures
Materials
Earthenware
Large Antique Quality Staffordshire Flatback Figure of Will Watch Smuggler
Located in Suffolk, GB
Large antique Victorian quality Staffordshire flat back figure of Will Watch Smuggler in wonderful blue, yellow, orange, pink, black and white colours on a square base marked ‘Will W...
Category
19th Century Victorian Antique British Figurative Sculptures
Materials
Ceramic
English Turn of the Century Iron Sculpture of a Jockey with Weathered Patina
Located in Atlanta, GA
An English Turn of the Century iron sculpture depicting a jockey holding a ring in his left hand. Created in England during the Turn of the Century which saw the transition between t...
Category
Early 20th Century British Figurative Sculptures
Materials
Iron
Antique Staffordshire Flatback Cottage, circa 1880
Located in Suffolk, GB
An unusual 19th century antique Staffordshire cottage with lovely colorful decoration.
It is in perfect condition.
Category
1880s Victorian Antique British Figurative Sculptures
Materials
Ceramic
$309 Sale Price
20% Off
1950s Midcentury Design English Anatomical Models University
Located in Reggio Emilia, IT
Set of two amazing anatomical models university, circa 1950s.
Measurements from left: height 30 cm, 23 cm.
Category
1950s Mid-Century Modern Vintage British Figurative Sculptures
Materials
Metal
19th Century Lead Garden Element
Located in Pasadena, CA
This is a wonderful example of a late 19th century English lead putti. These English lead figures were traditionally garden elements; but this example is in...
Category
Late 19th Century Neoclassical Antique British Figurative Sculptures
Materials
Lead
$1,800 Sale Price
20% Off
Vivien Mallock: Queen Elizabeth II’s Diamond Jubilee Portrait Roundel, 2012
Located in Lymington, Hampshire
This is the bronze maquette for a bas-relief portrait commissioned by the City of Winchester in honour of Queen Elizabeth II’s Diamond Jubilee. The final roundel is six feet in diameter and is shaped as a Winchester Rose with Queen Elizabeth II in the centre. She is wearing a three-strand diamond necklace and the Girls of Great Britain and Ireland tiara. Signed ‘VM 1’. English, 2012.
The Girls of Great Britain and Ireland tiara was made by the House of Garrard...
Category
2010s British Figurative Sculptures
Materials
Bronze
Staffordshire Pearlware Musicians and Sheep Bocage Group
By Staffordshire
Located in Chelmsford, Essex
Staffordshire Pottery pearlware bocage figure with a musical theme which features a couple seated before a tree, playing musical instruments. Sheep and dogs around them, seated on a ...
Category
1820s Folk Art Antique British Figurative Sculptures
Materials
Pottery
Bow Pair of Porcelain Figures, Arlecchino and Columbina, Rococo ca 1758
By Bow Porcelain
Located in London, GB
This is a wonderful pair of figures of Arlecchino and Columbina, made by the Bow Porcelain factory in about 1758. These figures formed part of a series of the Commedia dell'Arte, a very popular series of theatrical figures that served as decoration at the dinner table in the 18th Century.
The Bow Porcelain Factory was one of the first potteries in Britain to make soft paste porcelain, and most probably the very first to use bone ash, which later got perfected by Josiah Spode to what is now the universally used "bone china". Bow was the main competitor of the Chelsea Porcelain Factory, but where Chelsea made very fine slipcast porcelain, Bow made a different soft paste porcelain that tended to be softer and could be pressed into moulds. Bow served a larger public generally at lower prices. The factory was only in operation between 1743 and 1774, after which the tradition got incorporated into some of the later famous potteries such as Worcester and Derby.
These figures were used to adorn the dinner table when dessert was served; groups of figures served to express something about the host, the guests, or to direct the conversation. The Italian Commedia Dell'Arte, a comical form of masked theatre, was very popular in those days and Bow copied many figures of the German Meissen series that were brought out in the decades before.
This pair dates from about 1758, which was at the height of Bow's ability to make beautiful figurines often copied from Chelsea or Meissen. The pair is modelled after a Meissen pair by Kaendler. The porcelain is translucent with a beautiful milky glaze - Bow was probably the first pottery using bone in its porcelain recipe. Arlecchino (Harlequin) is playing the bagpipes, dressed in an odd costume of mismatched chintz and playing cards and wearing a funny black trumpet...
Category
1750s Rococo Antique British Figurative Sculptures
Materials
Porcelain
$2,880 Sale Price / set
20% Off