Quiet Street Antiques of Bath has dated this piece to the 1870s.
Impressed factory marks to the base. In perfect condition. No chips, cracks or defects. Colours are good.
Date: c.1870
Dimensions: Height (Paul): 13.5 inches (34.2 cm). Height (Virginia): 13 inches (33 cm)
He was appointed 'Principal Modeller' at the Royal Worcester works in 1870. In 1875 he left the Royal Worcester factory to set up his own studio, also in Worcester. Although no longer directly employed by Royal Worcester he sold almost his entire output of models for ornamental vases and figures to them. Described by John Sandon as 'probably the finest English modeller of all time'. Hadley is best known for his decorative figures, made between 1870-1880 when taste was moving towards coloured models from the previous fashion for plain white 'Parian Ware'.
The models of Paul and Virginia are based on the novel by Bernardin Saint-Pierre, which was first published in 1787. The figures depict the leading characters who were friends from birth and who fell in love on the island of Mauritius, hence the inclusion of exotic fruit including Pineapple.
Quiet Street Antiques of Bath has dated this piece to the 1870s.
Fine antiques at sensible prices
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A PAIR of Royal Worcester porcelain figures - Paul & Virginia, 1870
