Relax, men. We all know how invaluable you can be. But this lovely pearlware mother and child are doing just fine on their own. When found paired, this lady stands beside a figure dressed as a sailor. Here the lad's striped sailor trousers are meant to look just like dad's. The figure is about 9" tall.

So why did I buy a single figure, rather than wait to acquire a pair? Firstly, a true (or even well matched) pair is difficult to find; in fact, it is one of the rarer figure pairs and I might never find a fine pair. Secondly, the figures comprising this pair usually were formed without attached bocages, andI have never seen a pair --or even a lone male--with bocage, so the bocage was intriguing. Thirdly, and most importantly, I bought this figure because it is simply beautiful, of course.

The molds for this figure are rather simple, giving the lady a robust charm suitable for a mature sailor's lady--she is no lass. The blue tinged lead glaze that coats the figure is particularly silky and glows softly with the enamels that have melded into it. I love the crisp molding: look at the sharp edges of the bocage leaves, the twists in the rope trim around the dress neckline, and the stiff leaves around the base. I always love yellow enamels, but here the potter rightly thought the figure would benefit from a splash of green and it does. That perky little bocage is lovely, and leaves from the same molds are strewn on the base. And don't you love the tear of green paint running down from the bocage? Don't you want to touch it with your finger? Note the very many carefully painted stripes on the child's trousers. Somehow everything comes together very pleasingly in this figure.

Am I looking for the male figure to stand with this lady? Well, sort of, but not really. The trouble is that he is going to have to be of very fine quality to earn shelf space alongside her--otherwise she will continue to live happily on her own.

Bizarre thought...is there a vague similarity between the lady's neck and the neck of the goose in the basket? Or have I been looking at the figure for too long?

 


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