“Scratch Cross” Hard Paste Porcelain Model of a Hare c1770

Description

Heading : Hard paste porcelain blanc de chine model of a hare
Date : c1770
Period : George III
Marks : Incised X 
Origin : Probably Bristol or perhaps Plymouth
Colour : White
Pattern : Hare
Features : Moulded hard paste porcelain model of a crouched hare. with a naturalistic oval base
Condition : Excellent
Restoration : None
Dimensions : 4.8cm tall by 9.8cm in length and 5.5cm width
Weight : 110 grams

We suggest that this is early Bristol. Firstly the mark was used by Bristol. The few marked Plymouth porcelain items we have seen have a painted alchemists symbol for tin which can best be described as 2 with an extended tail that has been crossed by a vertical line.

The Cookworthy Plymouth factory did produce a series of animal figurines in hard paste porcelain. lions. birds. cows and others. These had ovoid bases with moulded flowers and foliage which are not as prominent on this piece as expected if it were Plymouth.

This porcelain is very hard and white and the glaze is highly reflective. This is consistent again with Bristol but we cannot find any reference examples within museum collections of Bristol porcelain animal figurines. With Plymouth porcelains it is reasonable to expect peppering ( kiln spit) and some cracking which are not visible on this example.

Finally this piece came from the Channel Islands. There were strong trading links between the Channel Islnds and Bristol. In the 18th century seaweed was burned on the islands to produce a soda rich ash that was required for the manufacture of glass. soap and porcelain all active indistries in Bristol.