Coming up at Bonhams London next month is this large pearlware horse, around 9" tall.
Wood and Caldwell pearlware horse at Bonhams next month.
The catalog listing notes that an identical horse, again standing in front of a spill vase, can be found on page 291 of People, Passions, Pastimes, and Pleasures: Staffordshire Figures 1810-1835. I had forgotten that!! The horse in my book is paired with a cow and both are actually marked Wood and Caldwell. The bases on both horses are strewn with the same flowers we find on other Wood and Caldwell figures.
Pearlware enamel-painted horses are really quite rare. Most commonly they occur with riders, but unmounted horses are few and far between. The largest unmounted horses were made by Leeds. At about 18 inches, they are magnificently impressive.
Pearlware enamel-painted horses are really quite rare. Most commonly they occur with riders, but unmounted horses are few and far between. The largest unmounted horses were made by Leeds. At about 18 inches, they are magnificently impressive.
At the other end of the size spectrum this 5" pottery horse, formerly in Vandkar's stock, is particularly engaging. The color palette suggests it is Scottish. The bocage is very unusual in both form and color. How often do you see pink and yellow bocage leaves?
This rearing horse was formerly in the stock of the late Jonathan Horne. I have seen this horse on a plinth base, in the stock of the late Allistair Sampson.
These horses were also formerly in the late Jonathan Horne's stock. They are made by the manufactory that Malcolm Hodkinson has dubbed 'Big Flower" because it favored large bocage flowers, just like those you see here. I have seen these horses painted in different colors but I know of no other pair.
A horse, of course? Don't take it for granted. An enamel-painted horse is far from common. If you know of any other examples, please share.
