Mellors & Kirk
Lot 19
A RARE EQUESTRIAN FIGURE OF AN OFFICER, PROBABLY STAFFORDSHIRE of white earthenware, boldly painted in vivid enamels, the figure in black and yellow helmet, scarlet tunic, black breeches and boots, on a claret and yellow saddle cloth, reins in hand, the dappled horse with painted and sponged brown enamel markings, on green and ochre mottled, low moulded rectangular plinth, the sides picked out in pink and rust enamel, 38cm h, mid 19th c It is possible, on account of its very large size that this eye catching figure of a mounted officer may have been made for a window display, or is commemorative. The well known large models of riderless horses traditionally attributed to Leeds and dating from the 1820s, a number of which according to Joseph Kidson were handed down in the families of former Leeds Pottery hands, are thought to have been intended for saddlers, farriers and other tradesmen`s shops. No other model of the present figure, which may well not represent any particular personage is recorded in the literature. Despite its several distinctive features, such as the curious, black lined eyes the purpose and manufacturer are unknown. What is certain is that so ambitious a model could only have been undertaken by one with considerable experience. ++Horses right foreleg cleanly broken beneath the near and glued with glue residue. Horse lacking left ear, the horse broken off from the base and re-attached with old, probably 19th c, wire staples, similar repairs to the two rear legs beneath the knee, lacking parts of the reins. The man`s right arm broken at the elbow and glued back into position but entirely free from any professional or recent restoration
