Columbine
Bow Porcelain Factory (fl.c. 1748-1774)
Category
Ceramics
Date
c. 1755 - c. 1760
Materials
soft paste porcelain
Measurements
170 x 108 mm
Place of origin
Stratford-le-Bow
Order this imageCollection
Saltram, Devon
NT 870953
Summary
A pair of moulded, soft paste porcelain figures of the performers Pierrot and Columbine. Made at the Bow porcelain factory. Decorated in polychrome enamel on open, rococo bases. Pierrot is shown with hands in the air. Columbine holds a basket of flowers. Both are marked underneath with the red anchor and dagger mark for the Bow factory (1750-1776). Round paper labels underneath number 309 The Saltram Collection (1967): No 261T, p.59
Full description
The Bow porcelain factory was, alongside Chelsea, the first soft paste porcelain factory to be established in England. Initially founded at a site in Bow, it later moved to ‘New Canton’ east of the River Lea, then in Essex. The factory produced a porcelain that originally incorporated bone ash – a precursor to bone china. By the late 1750s, it employed around 300 workers and produced a substantial output of useful and decorative wares. Despite its size and popularity in the 1750s, the Bow factory suffered financial setbacks and was purchased by William Duesbury in 1776, owner of the Derby factory, who closed the Bow production and sent many of the moulds and tools to Derby. These characters are traditional figures in pantomime or the commedia dell'arte with origins in 17th century Italy though popularly performed in England. The comical and often slapstick story revolves around the story of Harlequin who loves Columbine. Pierrot is a servant who takes on the role of the sad clown, pining for the love of Columbine. Such popular characters were widely recognisable and versions were produced by many different ceramic manufacturers. This pair, produced at the Bow porcelain factory, were modelled on a set originally created at the German Meissen factory in around 1743 designed by Peter Reinecke after an engraving in Riccoboni's Histoire du theatre italien, published in 1731.
Makers and roles
Bow Porcelain Factory (fl.c. 1748-1774), pottery manufacturer
References
The Saltram Collection (1967):, No. 261T, p.59