A pair of Bow figures of a ratcatcher and street vendor
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A very rare pair of Bow figures of a ratcatcher and street vendor, circa 1755
Vibrantly modelled wearing oriental costume with monkeys resting on their shoulders, she holding a box of wares under her right arm, offering a bottle in her left hand, he with a sword and pouch on his belt and holding two rats in his hands, both figures painted in complimenting shades of green, puce and dark blue picked out in gold, her skirt and his pantaloons painted with rose sprigs, the small mound bases applied with flowers, the reverses pierced, 19.8cm and 19.6cm high (some restoration) (2)
Sold for £6,875 inc. premium

Footnotes

  • Provenance: The Alfred E. Pearson Collection, sold by Sotheby's 18 April 1967, lot 178. These figures are illustrated by Frank Stoner, Chelsea, Bow and Derby porcelain figures (1955), pl.79. An example of the female figure is in the British Museum, no. 1938,0314.70.CR. A later pair of related models on high scroll bases is illustrated by Peter Bradshaw, Bow Porcelain figures (1992), p.141, pl.131. The source is possibly a print from Marcellus Laroon's series The Cryes of the City of London, pl. 69, titled 'The London Begger'.

Category: Decorative Arts / British Ceramics

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Richard Hird Bonhams
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Specialist - British Ceramics