English pottery 18th century Astbury Whieldon type Scottish bagpiper figurine decorated with coloured glazes - antique circa 1750

A beautiful and extremely rare example of antique, mid eighteenth century, English pottery - an Astbury - Whieldon type figurine decorated with oxide coloured glazes. The red and cream coloured clay body has been moulded and repaired (assembled) very carefully. 

This very rare survivor dates from the Georgian period during the reign of George II circa 1750. Very similar figures are illustrated in Cyril Andrade's Astbury Figurines. See last images. (Ref 1).

The cream coloured body has been decorated with oxides in green, blue and yellow colours in a lead glaze. The base and back support is made of a red clay with an agate effect, the underside is unglazed and the support stem is hollow. He has inset manganese brown eyes. 

The figurine is modelled as a Scotsman playing the bagpipes whilst dressed in a short kilt and knee length stockings. He is wearing a single breasted jacket with a waistcoat underneath, the details of the sleeve buttons and jacket buttons and silk embroidered button holes are also modelled. Over his jacket right shoulder is a sash that has been incised with lines to simulate tartan. The back of his hair has been plaited in a short soldier's queue. He wears a short peaked hat like a jockey cap with floral decoration to the back. He has black buckle shoes on his feet. He is modelled playing a set of bagpipes which are made of red clay and have cream slip glaze decoration.

This lovely antique figurine is in good repaired condition, there is some glaze crazing, the figure's head has been off and re-attached. The ends of the two longest drones have been replaced, The mouth pipe and chanter, along with his left fingertips and right hand have been replaced. A glaze flake on his kilt on the left leg at the front and in front of his left inner ankle has been disguised. The base is not quite flat and he can rock slightly. No other chips cracks nor restoration. Please see the images. 

This is a beautiful, extremely rare and interesting example of antique English pottery from mid 18th century of the Georgian period. Ideal for a pottery collector or bagpiper.

Height 6 1/2 inches (16.5 cm) 
Width 2 9/16 inches (6.5 cm) 
Depth 2 1/2 inches (6.4 cm)
Weight 205 grammes unpacked

Complimentary worldwide delivery included.

References

1. Old English Pottery - Astbury Figurines by Cyril Andrade Page 25 figure 1 and also 26 figure 9.