‘Sight’ as a man looking alertly to his left and wearing a long coat.

The identity of the sculptor of these and other masterly early Derby figures has been identified by J.V.G.  Mallet in his paper, ‘Agostino Carlini and Dry-Edge Derby’, British Ceramic design, 1600-2002, The English Ceramic Circle, 2002

This is from a series of four figures of the European senses. The fifth sense, ‘Hearing’, was apparently not produced or has not been identified although Peter Bradshaw suggests that a smaller figure may have been adapted from it (Bradshaw 1981, p. 30, 31 & 48, B34).

A triangle has been incised to the underside of the base in the 20^th century at a time when early Derby figures were thought to be Chelsea.

Exhibited:
‘Early English White Sculptural Porcelain’, The Paul and Bunny Davies Collection, E & H Manners, 2020, no. 20

Provenance:
Bonhams 13 November 2013, lot 225 ‘Taste’ and ‘Sight’

References:
Mallet, J.V.G. ‘Agostino Carlini and Dry-Edge Derby’, British Ceramic Design 1600-2002, The English Ceramic Circle, 2003, pp. 42-57

Peter Bradshaw, 18th Century English Porcelain Figures, (Antique Collector’s Club,
1981), p. 30, 31 & 48, B34

For the complete set of four figures see: F. Brayshaw Gilhespy, Derby Porcelain,
(London 1961) which includes the only example of ‘Sight’ with mirror (if it is original).
For the same set see Sotheby’s, 9 November 1976

Condition:
Broken and restuck at the left shoulder, three fingers and thumb of right hand restored, the left hand restored.

This item is sold