Anna Burnside
Head of Sale
Lot 78
A very rare Bow model of a swan, circa 1756-60
1 December 2025, 13:00 GMT
London, New Bond Street£1,200 - £1,800
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Jim Peake
Head of Department
Fergus Gambon
Director
A very rare Bow model of a swan, circa 1756-60
Modelled with its wings held close to its body, each feather crisply moulded, its face and legs neatly picked out in colours but otherwise left in the white, 6.6cm high
Footnotes
Provenance
With Simon Spero, 2013
Literature
White, Mary, Beasts at the Whites' House, Vol.1, 2020, p.203, fig.5
John Bowcock, manager and clerk to the Bow factory, records on 24 July 1756 'Goats, swans and every other sort of toys to be sent in Baxter's order...'.
Mary White illustrates the present lot alongside five other swans of varied origin including Meissen, Chelsea, St James's and Derby, affording the author and reader the opportunity to compare and contrast each model. See lot 77 in this sale for a Chelsea version as a scent bottle. The very crisp and naturalistic modelling of the wing and tail feathers on the present lot sets the Bow example apart from its companions. Another Bow swan with different facial markings is illustrated and discussed by Simon Spero in his 2013 exhibition catalogue, no.19.