Derby Figure of St Thomas, by Agostiono Carlini, circa 1756

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Derby Figure of St Thomas, by Agostiono Carlini, circa 1756

About the Item

Rare Derby figure of Saint Thomas, represented as a barefoot man in Roman dress, a yellow lined turquoise cloak and a flower decorated purple robe, a broken orb and sword at his feet representing the lack of Roman law in his manner of death, on a circular base decorated with Rococo scrolls. circa 1756. References: Originally a dry-edge period figure from 1755, this example is from a few years later, from the ‘pale family’ period circa 1756-9. The finger has a firing flaw, and there is a section of the cloak rim damaged in the firing; perhaps because of this, the figure was sold to an outside decorator, who decorated it in luxury colors, rather than the saintly tones expected for such a religious figure. Bradshaw explains the situation in ‘Derby Porcelain Figures’ p63; apparently such colorful figures were once identified as King Lear, but a set of pottery versions with original labels show their intended identity. The bright colors therefore show the painters unfamiliarity with the intended subject, hence the conclusion of an outside decorator at work. Religious figures in any early English factory are unusual, and cannot have been popular sellers; perhaps the ‘un-sainting’ of a figure such as this was intentional, in order to sell an otherwise ‘slow mover’.ref. Bradshaw ‘Derby Porcelain Figures’ D31 & D32 (also B28 & 29) for illustrations & p29 for a write-up on these interesting figure types.An example sold BOnhams, part of the Crane collection 31 March 2010, with the footnote: These Fine models are likely to have been sculpted by Agostiono Carlini, see J.V.G. Mallet, 'Agostiono Carlini and Dry-Edge Derby', British Ceramic design, 1600-2002, published by the English Ceramic Circle (2002). Carlini has now been identified as the sculptor of many other Masterly early Derby figures. Another example of St Philip is in the Victoria and Albert Museum, see Peter Bradshaw, Derby Porcelain Figures (1990) p 42.

Creator:
Royal Crown Derby Porcelain (Workshop/Studio)
Dimensions:
Height: 10.24 in (26 cm)Width: 5.12 in (13 cm)Depth: 5.12 in (13 cm)
Style:
George II (Of the Period)
Materials and Techniques:
Porcelain
Place of Origin:
England
Period:
1750-1759
Date of Manufacture:
circa 1765
Condition:
Minor losses. Minor fading.
Seller Location:
Geelong, AU
Reference Number:
Seller: 10114411stDibs: LU125026761683

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.