I was thrilled to discover this set of the Four Seasons in a UK collection. From left, they are Winter, Summer, Spring, and Autumn, and I know of no other set of this form. Viewed from the back, you can see that the figures were made without bocages. Don't you like the ribbon on Spring's bonnet?
I think that these Seasons may have come from the same pot bank as the shepherd and shepherdess below. As you see, the molds for Autumn and Spring were also used for the shepherd and shepherdess. I have dubbed this Group of related figures from some unknown pot bank the Blue Group--and you can find their shared attributes specified in Volume 1 of my new book, to be released later this month.
Alongside is another shepherd-shepherdess pair from the same molds, but this time with bocages that are quite specific to the Blue Group. Also, they have the blue bases that this Group sometimes favored.
As you read this, are you thinking that sets and pairs like these just don't come on the market? On the whole, you are right, but a good number of lovely single figures appear routinely, and with a bit of patience you can find the mate or mates. When you pull this off, it is thrilling. Believe it or not, both shepherd and shepherdess pairs were acquired as singles by their owners.
As I looked through Andrew Dando's Exhibition (currently on line), I saw at least two figures that are candidates for match-making. Andrew has a shepherd-piper just like the figure on the right in the pair below. I confidently attribute this figure to John Dale. The floral sprigs on the base are specific to Dale and establish the attribution. Other Dale features include the jagged edges to the spill vases and the squarish face. The companion female figure exhibits the same characteristics. If you think the pair below have always lived together, think again. I know that the collector acquired first the boy and then the girl to make his pair. They couldn't be prettier. Truly a match made in heaven--and Andrew's figure gives you the opportunity to try the same thing.
As I looked through Andrew Dando's Exhibition (currently on line), I saw at least two figures that are candidates for match-making. Andrew has a shepherd-piper just like the figure on the right in the pair below. I confidently attribute this figure to John Dale. The floral sprigs on the base are specific to Dale and establish the attribution. Other Dale features include the jagged edges to the spill vases and the squarish face. The companion female figure exhibits the same characteristics. If you think the pair below have always lived together, think again. I know that the collector acquired first the boy and then the girl to make his pair. They couldn't be prettier. Truly a match made in heaven--and Andrew's figure gives you the opportunity to try the same thing.
Andrew also has a small male gardener, just like the male gardener on the right below. I own the pair that I show here, and I can assure you that I bought them several years apart. I bought the girl first because I was attracted to the unusual bocage, and the boy came along later. They do make a sweet pair.
If you are tempted to set about match making, pick worthy pieces for matching. Don't buy a bashed up little figure and spend forever searching for a mate. Buy a good quality or uncommon figure, and then keep your eyes open. As a rule of thumb, a pair is worth about three times the price of a single, so finding the companion figure typically gives you a pair at a bargain price.
