What is the historical significance of Bow porcelain allegorical figures?

The Bow porcelain factory, operating in London during the eighteenth century, produced soft-paste porcelain figures depicting themes such as the Four Seasons, classical mythology, and the elements. These figures represented the height of Georgian decorative arts and early English porcelain manufacturing.

What materials and methods were used to construct 18th-century porcelain putti?

These figures were slip-cast or hand-moulded using soft-paste porcelain composition, decorated with hand-applied overglaze enamel colours, and finished with selective gilding before undergoing multiple kiln firings.

How do specialists identify authentic 18th-century English porcelain figures?

Authentication involves examining soft-paste body traits, fire cracks, distinctive mould lines, hand-modelled bocage elements, and period-correct enamel colour palettes typical of mid-eighteenth-century factories.

How can antique porcelain figures be incorporated into modern interior styling?

Arranging a set along a fireplace mantelpiece, within a glass display cabinet, or on a sideboard top adds historic interest and structural texture to contemporary or traditional spaces.

What is the correct procedure for cleaning and preserving soft-paste porcelain?

Dusting should be performed gently using a dry, soft brush to reach inside intricate bocage work. Avoid water, harsh chemicals, or liquid submersion to protect delicate cold painted details and restoration work.

for sale €989 $1,073

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Allegorical Four Seasons Figurines

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Bow Porcelain Allegorical Figures Rare Set of Four Seasons as Standing Putti C.1765

Name: Bow Porcelain Allegorical Figures Rare Set of Four Seasons as Standing Putti C.1765
Brand: Antique
SKU: SA1217615
Price: 845 GBP
Availability: InStock

18th century

For Sale by 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 sheaves 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.

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.

Physical Dimensions

Height

15.2cm (5.98")

Width

10.7cm (4.21")

Depth

7.4cm (2.91")

Declaration

The Fancy Fox has dated this Bow Porcelain Figures Set to the 18th Century.

Reference Numbers

Sellingantiques Reference

SA1217615

Dealers Internal Reference

FA1965

Dealers Notes

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Price includes UK postage. We ship worldwide for a small cost, please ask for details. For US customers, current tariff charges of 10% must be paid in advance of posting. Please contact us to go through the details.

We wish to ensure all our customers are happy with their purchases and offer a full no quibble return policy for all items returned within 14 days. We ask that returns are notified within 7 days where possible. Return postage is the buyer's responsibility in terms of cost and safeguarding the item in transit.

In the unlikely event any damage has occurred during shipping please advise as soon as possible and within 2 days of receipt at the latest. If you cannot inspect the item within those 2 days please just let us know.

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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.

The Fancy Fox

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 sheaves in the case of Summer, adorn the tops of the bases around their feet. Unmarked, c.1765.

fig 1. A set of four 18th-century Bow soft-paste porcelain figures representing the seasons, depicting putti on rococo scroll bases with colourful floral bocage. — fig 1. Bow Porcelain Allegorical Figures Rare Set of Four Seasons as Standing Putti 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).

fig 2. A set of four 18th-century Bow soft-paste porcelain figures representing the seasons, depicting putti on rococo scroll bases with colourful floral bocage. — fig 2. Bow Porcelain Allegorical Figures Rare Set of Four Seasons as Standing Putti C.1765

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:

fig 3. A set of four 18th-century Bow soft-paste porcelain figures representing the seasons, depicting putti on rococo scroll bases with colourful floral bocage. — fig 3. Bow Porcelain Allegorical Figures Rare Set of Four Seasons as Standing Putti C.1765

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;

fig 4. A set of four 18th-century Bow soft-paste porcelain figures representing the seasons, depicting putti on rococo scroll bases with colourful floral bocage. — fig 4. Bow Porcelain Allegorical Figures Rare Set of Four Seasons as Standing Putti C.1765

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;

fig 5. A set of four 18th-century Bow soft-paste porcelain figures representing the seasons, depicting putti on rococo scroll bases with colourful floral bocage. — fig 5. Bow Porcelain Allegorical Figures Rare Set of Four Seasons as Standing Putti C.1765

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.

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.