A Rare First Period Worcester Porcelain Figure of a Turk C.1765 - 1770

Name: A Rare First Period Worcester Porcelain Figure of a Turk C.1765 - 1770
Brand: Antique
SKU: SA1144488
Availability: SoldOut

18th century

Sold by Fine Antique English Porcelain

Description

An extremely rare First Period Worcester porcelain figure of a Turk c.1765-1770. Originally one of a pair of figures of the Turk and his Companion the Levantine Lady, he in a posing stance his hand on his hip and this left hand on a scimitar, wearing furled jewelled turban with red skullcap, yellow long flowing gown trimmed and lined with ermine, white waistcoat enriched with gold frogging and braid, a white belt complete with lapis coloured jewelled buckle and clasp, his skirt highly embroidered with formal stylised flowers in tones of red, purple, puce and blue with gold foliate sprays and pink court shoes, standing on a circular base applied with a flowers. The Turks are undoubtedly the work of the great modeller John Toulouse who arrived from Bow in 1767 and is responsible for the figural work which emanates from the factory at this time and also includes the array of wares and ornamental objects which are adorned with flowers and leaves in his distinctive ‘hot cross bun’ style. Worcester figures are extremely rare as the factory mainly concentrated on the production of teawares due to their superior porcelain body.

This figure of a Turk is probably derived from engravings in Ferriol’s 'Nations du Levant', published in 1714. ‘Turquerie’ was fashionable in the 1770s. The English aristocracy wore similar costumes at masquerades.

See Charles William Dyson Perrins ECC transactions, 1934, for a watercolour of circa 1784 by E.F. and T.F. Burney intended as a design for the frontispiece of Nash’s History of Worcestershire. Included amongst the items representing famous products of the county is a porcelain figure identical to the male Turk.

For a similar model of a Turk, see lot 209 of The Crane Collection, sold by Bonhams, on 31st March 2010.

This model is unmarked

Condition: In generally good condition with no restoration but some small typical chips to the flowers around the base and the feather to his turban now missing.

Physical Dimensions

Height

13cm (5.12")

Declaration

Fine Antique English Porcelain has dated this piece to the Georgian era.

Reference Numbers

Sellingantiques Reference

SA1144488

Dealers Notes

Jonathan Purt is an online dealer in the finest Antique English Porcelain.

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Description

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Worcester figures are extremely rare as the factory mainly concentrated on the production of teawares due to their superior porcelain body.

Fine Antique English Porcelain

fig 1. A rare First Period Worcester porcelain figure of a Turk c.1765 - 1770 — fig 1. A Rare First Period Worcester Porcelain Figure of a Turk C.1765 - 1770

This figure of a Turk is probably derived from engravings in Ferriol’s 'Nations du Levant', published in 1714. ‘Turquerie’ was fashionable in the 1770s. The English aristocracy wore similar costumes at masquerades.

fig 2. A rare First Period Worcester porcelain figure of a Turk c.1765 - 1770 — fig 2. A Rare First Period Worcester Porcelain Figure of a Turk C.1765 - 1770

See Charles William Dyson Perrins ECC transactions, 1934, for a watercolour of circa 1784 by E.F. and T.F. Burney intended as a design for the frontispiece of Nash’s History of Worcestershire. Included amongst the items representing famous products of the county is a porcelain figure identical to the male Turk.

fig 3. A rare First Period Worcester porcelain figure of a Turk c.1765 - 1770 — fig 3. A Rare First Period Worcester Porcelain Figure of a Turk C.1765 - 1770

For a similar model of a Turk, see lot 209 of The Crane Collection, sold by Bonhams, on 31st March 2010.

This model is unmarked

Condition: In generally good condition with no restoration but some small typical chips to the flowers around the base and the feather to his turban now missing.

Physical Dimensions

Height

13cm (5.12")

Date of Manufacture

Fine Antique English Porcelain has dated this piece to the Georgian era.

Reference Numbers

Sellingantiques Ref

SA1144488

About the Dealer

Fine Antique English Porcelain

Sellingantiques verified Since Jun 2021

Jonathan purt is a specialist in fine antique english porcelain