An unusual figure in the stock of Madelena Antiques caught my eye. The description reads "Book reference not found"--and I can't find the figure in a book either.
From the stock of Madelena Antiques
I had never seen this figure until I visited Brighton Museum's Willett Collection last year. There I found an example in the reserve collection--along with another figure that the Keeper, Stella Beddoe, pointed out as its pair.
Willett Collection, Brighton Museum, UK.
In my photo archive I have just one other example of this figure. This little boy went through auction a while ago.
As you can see, this base has a single painted line, just like the base on the girl in the Willett Collection. Enoch Wood used this base decoration, as did very many other potters. But the high base with two painted lines on Madelena's figure appears to occur only on Enoch Wood's figures, so I would attribute the figure to the Enoch Wood manufactory with reasonable confidence--nothing except death and taxes is 100% certain.
Madelena's figure is a lovely glimpse of the past. And figures of children playing would make a fascinating collecting theme.
UPDATE
Andrew Dando points out that these figures are after Derby models referred to in Peter Bradshaw's Derby Porcelain Figures 1750-1848, page 330, as Crying Boy and Girl Laughing. The girl holds a ball in her hand and taunts the boy, who cries as he reaches for it.
Derby Porcelain Figures 1750-1848, page 330.
Our pottery girl in the Willett Collection also hold a ball in her hand, but there is a colorful bird perched on her other hand. As best I can tell from looking at my high res digital image, that bird is original. Some potter just hated an arm stretched out into nothingness....but then pottery is so much nicer than porcelain!
Many thanks to Andrew for sharing his vast knowledge.
Many thanks to Andrew for sharing his vast knowledge.
