The Fancy Fox

Description

A very rare, true set of four Bow porcelain figures of standing putti, representing The Four Seasons. Stood on tri-footed scrolled bases decorated with puce enamel and gilding, each is decorated with themed chaplets and diagonal cross bands incorporating flowers, wheat ears, grapes and holly. Spring carries a basket of flowers over one arm and a posy held in her other hand. Summer carries a large sheaf of wheat over her left shoulder, and a small bundle of ears in her left hand, presumably cut with the sickle held in her right. Autumn holds a bunch of grapes and a basket of the same over his right arm, and Winter is holding a small brazier. Each has a low, wide, bocage of leaves and multi-coloured, individually modelled flowers, and further flowers, and wheat sheafs in the case of Summer, adorn the tops of the bases around their feet. Unmarked, c.1765.

Reference: plate 112 in Bow Porcelain Figures by Bradshaw, discussed under reference B50. The same example from The Lady Ludlow collection also illustrated and discussed in 18th Century Porcelain Figures, also Bradshaw, Plate 74, reference H97 (page 160).

They measure 15.2cm (6") high, approx. 10.7cm (4 1/4") wide across the bocage and 7.4cm (2 7/8") deep.

Condition: all have had some minor restoration, mainly elements of repair to the bocages. Winter has had some more significant repairs but still displays well. Details as follows:
Spring: the posy and forefinger, bocage and two flowers on the base. Missing the handle of the basket
Summer: right hand and missing the hook of the sickle. Some restoration to the wheat ears in the main sheaf and to the front of the base. Some work to the bocage
Autumn: minor work to bocage and flowers at the front of the base. Chip to the leaf of the bunch of grapes in left hand, missing basket handle and small amount of restoration to leaves on top of basket
Winter: restored at the neck and also across the lower legs. One foot of the base is restored and some work to the bocage as with the others. A small chip just above his left eye has been filled. Minor losses to the flames in the brazier and right thumb restored. There are many more photos available of all these areas, plesae ask if you'd like to see any details.

Lovely vibrant colours still, and minimal handling wear to the enamels or gilding. The set has been carefully inspected and appears to be a true and original complete set.
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