This Young Aristocrat with Dog was made by the Gardner Porcelain Factory in the first quarter of the nineteenth century. It has the incised G of the period as well as some enamelled letter/numbers underneath.
The pose has great tension. The young man is forever frozen in the act of holding back his dog. Not a reaction of fear. More one to stop the dog from getting into a situation.
Look closely at the boy’s hair and you will see this area was left unglazed. The difference in the surface is especially noticeable to the sense of touch. Although the enamel itself gives it shine, the recesses have not been filled in with glaze the way they have been in the rest of the figure. This was done to preserve the crispness of the detailing.
A very complex figure counting in at about nineteen separately moulded parts. A high labour porcelain sculpture for a high end market. How I envy that situation.
The head of the dog has been off. The gold collar is some restorer’s fantasy, there to hide the join.
13.7 cm in height. 1800 – 1825.
