Creamware Sheep Probably Bovey Tracey c. 1790-1800

A fabulous late 18th century creamware sheep figure possibly made at the Indeo pottery which was one of the Bovey Tracey area potteries.

These figures have a very charictaristic type of decoration with dots and splodges of brown and black, often missing their eyes completely.  This little fellow has eyes in the right place !

The simplistic underglaze black and brown decoration is achieved by mixing metal salts into a paste and applying them before covering with glaze and then firing, so the colours are under-glaze.

Quite fragile and thin walled, its hard to imagine these figurines being played with by children and its remarkable that they have survived so long.  Maybe this accounts for their relative rarity.

This little chap has had a bit of restoration done to his ears and there are a few firing cracks that can be seen from the inside and also a piece at the back which has broken off and be glued.  

Despite such an eventful life he is in pretty good condition and displays very well.  



Makers marks:
None

Dimensions:
105 mm wide at the base

Weight:
113 g

Age:
225 years

Condition:
Good:  Restoration to his ears, and a section glued in at the back.

Maker:
Probably Indeo pottery, Bovey Tracey