Romance in the dark of winter

Here in the UK it is now the darkest of winter - I know, I know, in Australia and New Zealand you are probably sweltering in summer! But in these damp, dank days with very little sunlight, short days and long nights, we need some romance, don't we?

And that's why we have Derby figures. The Derby Porcelain Factory was famous for its very fine and imaginative figures, often inspired by the German factories. Porcelain figures were very popular in the 18th Century, and were used to adorn the dinner table when dessert was served; groups of figures served to express something about the host, the guests, or to direct the conversation. One popular topic was an array of romantic rural characters, and this pair is from one such series.  

These figures are called the "Gallant and Lady attired as Shepherds", and they have been catalogued under number E22. They are a relatively rare pair of figures and I haven't had them before, so it is a joy to get to know these two, who seem involved in a lively and possibly amorous conversation.

The Derby Porcelain factory has its roots in the late 1740s, when André Planché, a Walloon Huguenot refugee, started making simple porcelain toys shaped like animals. Local entrepeneur William Duysbury took an interest in his skills and worked with him to improve the quality of his wonderfully shaped items. Together they laid the foundations of what would become a very refined tradition of figure making at Derby. In 1769, probably just after these figures were made, Duysbury bought up the bankrupted Chelsea factory, incorporating their reputation for high quality figures and tableware; this combination of traditions, porcelain making skills, sophisticated clients and available work people created one of the best porcelain factories of the 18th and 19th Centuries, which after many ups and downs is still operative today.

This particular pair is very finely made and in excellent condition without any restoration, which is very rare as usually these figures have had many knocks and therefore restoration. This pair is also relatively rare among the Derby pairs of shepherds. The gallant has a rather demure-looking lamb under his arm and seems to be gesticulating to the lady. The lady has a basket with flower hanging off one arm, holding up her apron full of flowers and fruits with her other. Both are dressed well beyond what a shepherd would really wear in rainy, muddy England: beautifully painted Rococo fashion with brightly coloured prints and delicate shoes with ribbons. Imagine them walking over the muddy moors with their silk shoes! 

The figures are unmarked but they have three patch marks on the underside, which makes it possible to date them. You can see them described on page 100 of "Derby Porcelain Figures 1750-1848" by Peter Bradshaw.

Where to find things

You can find all my porcelain figures here in my shop, and you can find all my available stock here. If you always want to see the latest additions, follow me on Instagram... I post pictures and a story several times a week.

Last week I showed many plates by H&R Daniel, and sold quite a stack... but there are some beauties left, and I hadded a few more, see below!

Happy weekend everyone, and bring some romance to the dark days! 💘

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This week's treasures:​

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