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ID #SA1175990
FOR SALE
£900
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Rare Pair of Derby Porcelain Figures “Dresden Shepherds”, William Duesbury & Co., England C.1760, Rococo Bases with Lamb and Dog
Gillers Antiques Ltd
for sale €1,053     $1,143
£900
Gillers Antiques Ltd

Gillers Antiques Ltd

Sellingantiques Verified Since Mar 2023
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Rare Pair of Derby Porcelain Figures “Dresden Shepherds”, William Duesbury & Co., England C.1760, Rococo Bases with Lamb and Dog

18th century
Description

A rare and important early Derby porcelain pair by William Duesbury & Co., depicting a shepherd with dog and shepherdess with lamb. Made around 1760, these figures mark the transition from the Pale Period (model D17) to the later “Dresden Shepherds.”

Each stands on a pierced rococo base with applied bocage. The shepherd carries a basket of flowers beside his hound, while the shepherdess gathers flowers in her apron with a lamb at her feet. The modelling, translucent soft-paste body, and richly fired enamels illustrate Derby’s adaptation of Meissen prototypes by Johann Joachim Kändler into a softer, distinctly English Rococo idiom.

Listed in Peter Bradshaw, Derby Porcelain Figures 1750–1848 (Faber & Faber, 1990, pp. 211–212). Comparable examples reside in the Victoria & Albert Museum and the Fitzwilliam Museum.

Measurements

Man: Height 25.7 cm (10.1?); Width 12 cm (4.7?); Depth 11 cm (4.3?); Weight 700 g

Woman: Height 26 cm (10.2?); Width 12 cm (4.7?); Depth 10 cm (3.9?); Weight 624 g

Condition

Man – Historic professional restoration and minor overpainting; firing crack beneath base.

Woman – Minor kiln marks and light professional retouching.

Excellent antique condition overall, the enamels and gilding well preserved.

Shipping & Packaging

Fully tracked and insured delivery.

Shipping cost includes professional packaging, careful handling, and postage.

Carefully packed using recycled materials.

Please study all photographs as they form part of the description.

Questions are welcome.

Physical Dimensions
Height
26cm (10.24")
Width
12cm (4.72")
Depth
10cm (3.94")
Declaration

Gillers Antiques Ltd has dated these Derby Porcelain Shepherd Figures to the Georgian era.

Reference Numbers
Sellingantiques Reference
SA1175990
Dealers Internal Reference
B1475
Description
A rare and important early Derby porcelain pair by William Duesbury & Co., depicting a shepherd with dog and shepherdess with lamb.
“
Made around 1760, these figures mark the transition from the Pale Period (model D17) to the later “Dresden Shepherds.
Gillers Antiques Ltd

”

fig 1. A pair of 18th-century English Derby soft-paste porcelain figures depicting a shepherd and shepherdess with animals on pierced rococo bases.
fig 1. Rare Pair of Derby Porcelain Figures “Dresden Shepherds”, William Duesbury & Co., England C.1760, Rococo Bases with Lamb and Dog

Each stands on a pierced rococo base with applied bocage. The shepherd carries a basket of flowers beside his hound, while the shepherdess gathers flowers in her apron with a lamb at her feet. The modelling, translucent soft-paste body, and richly fired enamels illustrate Derby’s adaptation of Meissen prototypes by Johann Joachim Kändler into a softer, distinctly English Rococo idiom.

fig 2. A pair of 18th-century English Derby soft-paste porcelain figures depicting a shepherd and shepherdess with animals on pierced rococo bases.
fig 2. Rare Pair of Derby Porcelain Figures “Dresden Shepherds”, William Duesbury & Co., England C.1760, Rococo Bases with Lamb and Dog

Listed in Peter Bradshaw, Derby Porcelain Figures 1750–1848 (Faber & Faber, 1990, pp. 211–212). Comparable examples reside in the Victoria & Albert Museum and the Fitzwilliam Museum.

Measurements

Man: Height 25.7 cm (10.1?); Width 12 cm (4.7?); Depth 11 cm (4.3?); Weight 700 g

fig 3. A pair of 18th-century English Derby soft-paste porcelain figures depicting a shepherd and shepherdess with animals on pierced rococo bases.
fig 3. Rare Pair of Derby Porcelain Figures “Dresden Shepherds”, William Duesbury & Co., England C.1760, Rococo Bases with Lamb and Dog

Woman: Height 26 cm (10.2?); Width 12 cm (4.7?); Depth 10 cm (3.9?); Weight 624 g

Condition

Man – Historic professional restoration and minor overpainting; firing crack beneath base.

Woman – Minor kiln marks and light professional retouching.

fig 4. A pair of 18th-century English Derby soft-paste porcelain figures depicting a shepherd and shepherdess with animals on pierced rococo bases.
fig 4. Rare Pair of Derby Porcelain Figures “Dresden Shepherds”, William Duesbury & Co., England C.1760, Rococo Bases with Lamb and Dog

Excellent antique condition overall, the enamels and gilding well preserved.

Shipping & Packaging

Fully tracked and insured delivery.

Shipping cost includes professional packaging, careful handling, and postage.

Carefully packed using recycled materials.

Please study all photographs as they form part of the description.

Questions are welcome.

Height
26cm (10.24")
Width
12cm (4.72")
Depth
10cm (3.94")
Date of Manufacture

Gillers Antiques Ltd has dated these Derby Porcelain Shepherd Figures to the Georgian era.

Reference Numbers
Sellingantiques Ref
SA1175990
Dealers Internal Ref
B1475
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

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A pair of 18th-century English Derby soft-paste porcelain figures depicting a shepherd and shepherdess with animals on pierced rococo bases.
1 / 14
Archive I A pair of 18th-century English Derby soft-paste porcelain figures depicting a shepherd and shepherdess with animals on pierced rococo bases.

Rare pair of Derby porcelain figures “Dresden Shepherds”, William Duesbury & Co., England c.1760, rococo bases with lamb and dog

Archive II A pair of 18th-century English Derby soft-paste porcelain figures depicting a shepherd and shepherdess with animals on pierced rococo bases. View II
Archive III A pair of 18th-century English Derby soft-paste porcelain figures depicting a shepherd and shepherdess with animals on pierced rococo bases. View III
Archive IV A pair of 18th-century English Derby soft-paste porcelain figures depicting a shepherd and shepherdess with animals on pierced rococo bases. View IV
Archive V A pair of 18th-century English Derby soft-paste porcelain figures depicting a shepherd and shepherdess with animals on pierced rococo bases. View V
Archive VI A pair of 18th-century English Derby soft-paste porcelain figures depicting a shepherd and shepherdess with animals on pierced rococo bases. View VI
Archive VII A pair of 18th-century English Derby soft-paste porcelain figures depicting a shepherd and shepherdess with animals on pierced rococo bases. View VII
Archive VIII A pair of 18th-century English Derby soft-paste porcelain figures depicting a shepherd and shepherdess with animals on pierced rococo bases. View VIII
Archive IX A pair of 18th-century English Derby soft-paste porcelain figures depicting a shepherd and shepherdess with animals on pierced rococo bases. View IX
Archive X A pair of 18th-century English Derby soft-paste porcelain figures depicting a shepherd and shepherdess with animals on pierced rococo bases. View X
Archive XI A pair of 18th-century English Derby soft-paste porcelain figures depicting a shepherd and shepherdess with animals on pierced rococo bases. View XI
Archive XII A pair of 18th-century English Derby soft-paste porcelain figures depicting a shepherd and shepherdess with animals on pierced rococo bases. View XII
Archive XIII A pair of 18th-century English Derby soft-paste porcelain figures depicting a shepherd and shepherdess with animals on pierced rococo bases. View XIII
Archive XIV A pair of 18th-century English Derby soft-paste porcelain figures depicting a shepherd and shepherdess with animals on pierced rococo bases. View XIV
Enlarged Archival View
Gillers Antiques Ltd

Gillers Antiques Ltd
Telephone 07738 009924
Location
Buckland House
Buntingford
Hertfordshire
SG9 0PY
United Kingdom
Dealer Profile Page sellingantiques.co.uk/gillersantiques
Verified Since Mar 2023
Items For Sale 395
Items Sold 563
Gillers Antiques Ltd
Gillers Antiques Ltd
Verified Since Mar 2023
View Dealer Info
Location: Buckland House, Buntingford, Hertfordshire, SG9 0PY, United Kingdom
Profile: sellingantiques.co.uk/gillersantiques
Verified
Mar 2023
For Sale
395
Sold
563
A pair of 18th-century English Derby soft-paste porcelain figures depicting a shepherd and shepherdess with animals on pierced rococo bases.
Rare pair of Derby porcelain figures “Dresden Shepherds”, William Duesbury & Co., England c.1760, rococo bases with lamb and dog
Ref: SA1175990
A pair of 18th-century English Derby soft-paste porcelain figures depicting a shepherd and shepherdess with animals on pierced rococo bases.
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Archival Detail

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FAQs

Rococo porcelain pastoral figures are decorative ceramic statuettes originating in 18th-century Europe that depict idealised rural characters such as shepherds and shepherdesses. Popularised by manufacturers like Meissen and Derby, these figures feature elaborate scrollwork bases, vibrant enamel decoration, and romanticised representations of country life.

Early English porcelain figures were cast from soft-paste porcelain using multi-part press moulds. After the initial firing, artisans applied hand-painted enamels and gilding, followed by low-temperature muffle-kiln firings to fuse the intricate colours and detailed bocage elements.

Authentic 18th-century Derby porcelain typically displays soft-paste porcelain characteristics, circular patch marks on the underside of the base, and unglazed areas from firing supports. Early pieces often lack factory marks or carry incised model numbers alongside hand-painted detailing on rococo bases.

These historical figurines can be displayed on a fireplace mantelpiece, within an illuminated glass vitrine, or atop a console table paired with contemporary art. Grouping them on a bookshelf creates a refined accent within traditional or eclectic interior schemes.

Dust the figures regularly using a dry, soft-bristled artist brush to clean delicate floral elements and crevices. Avoid immersing soft-paste porcelain in water or using liquid cleansers, as these can strip overglaze enamel pigments and gilding.
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