50,398  PAGES BROWSED TODAY PAGES TODAY • 195 ANTIQUES UPLOADED TODAYNEW ARRIVALS
GIFTS
195 ITEMS ADDED TODAY
Sort Order
Items Per Page
Browse Categories
Sort order
Relevant Links
Items per page
ID #SA1130658
SOLD
Email Phone
Save
Royal Worcester Rare Porcelain Figure "Haji Mijak, the Coppersmith" James Hadley, 1888
Sold by Gillers Antiques Ltd
Id #SA1130658
PDF SHARE
SAVE

Royal Worcester Rare Porcelain Figure "Haji Mijak, the Coppersmith" James Hadley, 1888

19th century
Sold 17 May 2025 · Gillers Antiques Ltd
This “Royal Worcester Rare Porcelain Figure "Haji Mijak, the Coppersmith" James Hadley, 1888” found a buyer.

It was listed by Gillers Antiques Ltd. Sold pieces stay on Sellingantiques as a record of what has passed through, and the next one is rarely far away.

Description

Royal Worcester "Haji Mijak, the Coppersmith" – James Hadley, 1888

This antique and extremely rare Royal Worcester porcelain figure, titled “Haji Mijak, the Coppersmith”, was designed by the renowned modeller James Hadley and crafted in 1888. The sculpture depicts an artisan in traditional dress and turban, working on a cauldron with a hammer, surrounded by tools used for metalwork. The piece is finished in an ivory-toned glaze, a hallmark of Royal Worcester’s late 19th-century production, giving it an elegant and lifelike appearance. The platform is ornately designed, featuring finely sculpted bowls and tools, emphasizing the craftsmanship of this piece.

James Hadley, Worcester’s most celebrated modeller, created the “Indian Craftsmen” series, which is considered by many experts to be among his finest works. The figures in this series are undoubtedly some of the rarest and most exquisite examples of Hadley’s artistry. Assembling a complete set of all six figures is a dream for any admirer of his talent. The figures from this series are illustrated by Henry Sandon in Royal Worcester Porcelain (1978), pl. 102.

The figurine bears the Royal Worcester impressed and printed factory marks, serial ? 68832, pattern ? 1207, and date codes for 1888.

As previously mentioned, figures like these are extremely rare and seldom appear on the market. Similar pieces have been sold at prestigious auction houses, including Christie’s and Bonhams, further highlighting their rarity and desirability among collectors.

Measurements

Height: 13 cm

Width: 10 cm

Depth: 10 cm

Weight: 342 g

Condition

The piece appears to be in excellent condition; however, under UV light, the hammer and the figure’s chest exhibit fluorescence, suggesting an additional coat of paint. Thin drips of paint or glue are visible where the cauldron he is handling touches his feet.

Shipping & Packaging

Shipped fully tracked and insured.

Shipping cost includes labour, packaging, and postage.

Please carefully review all photos before purchasing and feel free to ask any questions.

Date of Manufacture

Gillers Antiques Ltd has dated this Royal Worcester Porcelain Figure to the 19th Century.

Physical Dimensions
Height
13cm (5.12")
Width
10cm (3.94")
Depth
10cm (3.94")
Reference Numbers
Sellingantiques Reference
SA1130658
Description
Royal Worcester "Haji Mijak, the Coppersmith" – James Hadley, 1888
“
This antique and extremely rare Royal Worcester porcelain figure, titled “Haji Mijak, the Coppersmith”, was designed by the renowned modeller James Hadley and crafted in 1888.
Gillers Antiques Ltd

The sculpture depicts an artisan in traditional dress and turban, working on a cauldron with a hammer, surrounded by tools used for metalwork. The piece is finished in an ivory-toned glaze, a hallmark of Royal Worcester’s late 19th-century production, giving it an elegant and lifelike appearance. The platform is ornately designed, featuring finely sculpted bowls and tools, emphasizing the craftsmanship of this piece.

fig 1. An antique Royal Worcester porcelain figure depicting a seated artisan working on a vessel, finished in matte ivory with painted and gilt details.
fig 1. Royal Worcester Rare Porcelain Figure "Haji Mijak, the Coppersmith" James Hadley, 1888

James Hadley, Worcester’s most celebrated modeller, created the “Indian Craftsmen” series, which is considered by many experts to be among his finest works. The figures in this series are undoubtedly some of the rarest and most exquisite examples of Hadley’s artistry. Assembling a complete set of all six figures is a dream for any admirer of his talent. The figures from this series are illustrated by Henry Sandon in Royal Worcester Porcelain (1978), pl. 102.

fig 2. An antique Royal Worcester porcelain figure depicting a seated artisan working on a vessel, finished in matte ivory with painted and gilt details.
fig 2. Royal Worcester Rare Porcelain Figure "Haji Mijak, the Coppersmith" James Hadley, 1888

The figurine bears the Royal Worcester impressed and printed factory marks, serial ? 68832, pattern ? 1207, and date codes for 1888.

As previously mentioned, figures like these are extremely rare and seldom appear on the market. Similar pieces have been sold at prestigious auction houses, including Christie’s and Bonhams, further highlighting their rarity and desirability among collectors.

fig 3. An antique Royal Worcester porcelain figure depicting a seated artisan working on a vessel, finished in matte ivory with painted and gilt details.
fig 3. Royal Worcester Rare Porcelain Figure "Haji Mijak, the Coppersmith" James Hadley, 1888

Measurements

Height: 13 cm

Width: 10 cm

Depth: 10 cm

Weight: 342 g

Condition

The piece appears to be in excellent condition; however, under UV light, the hammer and the figure’s chest exhibit fluorescence, suggesting an additional coat of paint. Thin drips of paint or glue are visible where the cauldron he is handling touches his feet.

Shipping & Packaging

Shipped fully tracked and insured.

Shipping cost includes labour, packaging, and postage.

Please carefully review all photos before purchasing and feel free to ask any questions.

Date of Manufacture

Gillers Antiques Ltd has dated this Royal Worcester Porcelain Figure to the 19th Century.

Height
13cm (5.12")
Width
10cm (3.94")
Depth
10cm (3.94")
Reference Numbers
Sellingantiques Ref
SA1130658
Gillers Antiques Ltd
Gillers Antiques Ltd
Sellingantiques verified Since Mar 2023
Dealer Profile

You can view the stock and full dealer information on the Gillers Antiques Ltd Profile Page

PDF SHARE
SAVE
An antique Royal Worcester porcelain figure depicting a seated artisan working on a vessel, finished in matte ivory with painted and gilt details. SOLD6+ MONTHS AGO
1 / 11
Archive I An antique Royal Worcester porcelain figure depicting a seated artisan working on a vessel, finished in matte ivory with painted and gilt details. SOLD6+ MONTHS AGO

Royal Worcester Rare Porcelain Figure "Haji Mijak, the Coppersmith" James Hadley, 1888

Archive II An antique Royal Worcester porcelain figure depicting a seated artisan working on a vessel, finished in matte ivory with painted and gilt details. View II
Archive III An antique Royal Worcester porcelain figure depicting a seated artisan working on a vessel, finished in matte ivory with painted and gilt details. View III
Archive IV An antique Royal Worcester porcelain figure depicting a seated artisan working on a vessel, finished in matte ivory with painted and gilt details. View IV
Archive V An antique Royal Worcester porcelain figure depicting a seated artisan working on a vessel, finished in matte ivory with painted and gilt details. View V
Archive VI An antique Royal Worcester porcelain figure depicting a seated artisan working on a vessel, finished in matte ivory with painted and gilt details. View VI
Archive VII An antique Royal Worcester porcelain figure depicting a seated artisan working on a vessel, finished in matte ivory with painted and gilt details. View VII
Archive VIII An antique Royal Worcester porcelain figure depicting a seated artisan working on a vessel, finished in matte ivory with painted and gilt details. View VIII
Archive IX An antique Royal Worcester porcelain figure depicting a seated artisan working on a vessel, finished in matte ivory with painted and gilt details. View IX
Archive X An antique Royal Worcester porcelain figure depicting a seated artisan working on a vessel, finished in matte ivory with painted and gilt details. View X
Archive XI An antique Royal Worcester porcelain figure depicting a seated artisan working on a vessel, finished in matte ivory with painted and gilt details. View XI
Enlarged Archival View
Telephone 07738 009924
Location
Buckland House
Buntingford
Hertfordshire
SG9 0PY
United Kingdom
Verified Since Mar 2023
Items For Sale 400
Items Sold 581
Gillers Antiques Ltd
Gillers Antiques Ltd
Verified Since Mar 2023
View Dealer Info
Location: Buckland House, Buntingford, Hertfordshire, SG9 0PY, United Kingdom
Verified
Mar 2023
For Sale
400
Sold
581
An antique Royal Worcester porcelain figure depicting a seated artisan working on a vessel, finished in matte ivory with painted and gilt details.
Royal Worcester rare porcelain figure "Haji Mijak, the Coppersmith" James Hadley, 1888
Ref: SA1130658
An antique Royal Worcester porcelain figure depicting a seated artisan working on a vessel, finished in matte ivory with painted and gilt details.
Detail View 1
Detail View 2
Detail View 3
Detail View 4
Detail View 5
Detail View 6
Detail View 7
Detail View 8
Detail View 9
Detail View 10
Archival Detail
Every single antique dealer on our platform is individually approved by our internal team. We verify their professional trade history, ethical standards, and photographic quality to ensure a secure, high-standard buying environment. Upon joining, every dealer agrees to a strict 9-point code of conduct. While issues can occasionally arise, our dealers typically resolve them swiftly and directly with the buyer. In fact, since our founding in 2002, Sellingantiques has only had to step in to help resolve an issue on roughly five occasions—a true testament to the quality of our dealers and their dedication to your happiness.
Our dealers are highly experienced in packing and shipping fragile, high-value antiques. Because you are in direct contact with the dealer, you will be able to easily go through all available shipping and insurance options together to ensure your item arrives safely.
Antiques are the ultimate green purchase. By choosing historical pieces over newly manufactured goods, you completely eliminate the carbon footprint of modern mass production while preserving exceptional, timeless craftsmanship.
Written by Sellingantiques from the dealer’s photographs and listing
  • ObjectDecorative Figurines
  • Period19th century
  • StyleVictorian & Gothic
  • Material[Porcelain, Enamel, Gilt]
  • ColourIvory
  • MotifsHand-painted polychrome enamel, Gilt highlights, Matte ivory glaze, Detailed figurative modelling
  • SizeH 13 cm (5 in) x W 10 cm (4 in) x D 10 cm (4 in)

Late 19th-century Royal Worcester pieces often utilized a specialized matte ivory body that resembled bone or ivory, frequently accented with subtle hand-painted polychrome enamels and gilding.

These figures were typically crafted from fine hard-paste or soft-paste ceramic bodies, slip-cast or hand-modelled, then painted with mineral-based ceramic colours and fired multiple times.

Authenticity is verified by checking for impressed or printed factory backstamps, shape numbers, registration marks, and the characteristic fine detail and finish of the periods modelling.

Antique ceramic figures can be displayed individually inside glass-fronted cabinets or on accent shelving to add historical texture and refined detail to contemporary spaces.

Protect antique porcelain from direct sunlight, handle with clean dry hands to avoid staining porous unglazed areas, and dust gently using a soft, dry brush without chemical cleaners.
items
Add keywords to the filter
Price
£100
£250000
Era
Period
Style
Material
Origin
Stock Location
Recently Added
Online Payments
Categories