Equine statuette gallops to £17,500

Pearlware versions of this model dated to c.1800-20 are traditionally thought to have been used by saddlers and dealers in horse
medicine as window display models.

The auctioneers reckon this version appears to be a slightly later version of the same model, and the particular choice of colours suggests a Scottish origin although some large models have been given a Leeds attribution like the example featured in Sotheby’s Olympia sale last November which sold for £10,500. Accordingly, Bonhams gave theirs a later, broader attribution of North Country or Scottish, Portobello c.1830-40. They estimated it at £6000-9000 but in the event bidding raced to double this level as it was contested by trade and private buyers to £17,500. The piece probably owes its high price to its crossover appeal to pottery and equestrian enthusiasts.

Apart from this, Bonhams offered a good varied 350-lot mix which featured the usual range of porcelains from the main 18th and 19th century factories plus a range of early and later pottery and later wares. It also included several interesting private collections, the most notable of which was the 41 lots of Derby collected by the late Reverend John Wilstead.

Most of Mr Wilstead’s pieces were
botanical wares, all bar four sold, and all but one for prices in the £200-750 bracket, the exception being Quaker Pegg’s winged passionflower- decorated plate, pictured right, which realised £1200.

Overall the sale netted £276,270 with 80 per cent sold by lot and money. As with the auctioneers’ last Fine British sale in June, the most difficult sector of the sale was that devoted to 19th century majolica which continues to see very selective interest.