Antique Porcelain & Fine Arts

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Biscuit Cupid Sharpening Arrow Figurine

This is a rare biscuit porcelain figurine made by Derby in the 18th century. Unglazed porcelain like this was meant to imitate marble which is does very well and white pieces like this were much more expensive than painted ones. The figure is of cupid / amor / eros sharpening his arrows with another cupid sitting to the front of him and a tree next to him. The grinding stone machine is superb with all that detail and there is a basket on the base with his quiver on top as well as two arrows. Lots of grassses, leaves and flowers along the rocky edge of the base. An amazing piece that is very ahrd to find. I am fairly sure it is meant to represent one of the elements - Fire but not 100% on that. The figurine displays nicely but has issues. Obviously the leaves of the tree are rather damaged because they are so fragile, the lady cupid is holding an arrow in her hand that is msotly missing and a torch (I believe) in her other hand which is also msotly missing. The biggest thing is that she is missing her right leg which should be sticking out in front - a very clean break and thus not really all that obvious.Cupid himself is missing his wings and has a break where he is attached to the tree and through the top of his left leg. I am a bit confused how this happened as there is no other damage and he was not off the base. Rather strange. The arrow he is holding to sharpen is also broken off and there is a bit of damage to the leaves and flwoers along the base. But having mentioned all that the piece still does look rather nice on display! The figurine is marked underneath as shown with the No. 48, an X type mark and the word Fire if I am correct in reading that. The figurine is 8.25 inches tall, 4 inches wide and 3.5 inches deep. Please email me for more information or other pictures.

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