As I have been emailing back and forth with several bloggers about figures that have lost their bases, I thought I would add this to the mix.

This figure of the Lost Sheep is for sale in cyberspace. No mention is made of the fact that this figure was once mounted on another base--probably a square white form with a red line around it.  How do I know that the base is missing?

1. Look at the unglazed 'raw' edge at the bottom of this figure. That is unglazed pot. And it escaped being glazed by being attached to another piece of pot. That way, the glaze could not reach this area.  Once the primary base was lost, this area was exposed.

2. Look at the figure. The base just is too petite for it.

I suspect this seller made an honest mistake here. The figure is also described as being made between 1760 and 1785. This is incorrect. Circa 1825 would be my guess on this one.

Fascinating Factoid. The figure of the Lost Sheep portrays the Parable of the Lost Sheep in the Gospels of Luke and Matthew. Even non-believers love owning this charming English lad!

 


Comments

Pat

Sat, 25 Apr 2009 14:03:05

There are two such on ebay right now....one seller actually gives his info source as Halfpenny (book), fig.44 (p153) even though this pictured figure is on a base.!

She (the author) gives the date as c.1795-1810, ht. 215mm.

 



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