Antique Bone China Query - Figurine Found In Garage Sale

by Dan
(Toronto Ontario Canada)

Antique Bone China Query - Figurine Found In Garage Sale. I acquired this figurine marked bone china England but don't know if it's junk or authentic.??? This was found at a garage sale, the seller claimed it is old, I don't know if that's true or not.

The finish is rough in spots and it is difficult to make out the printing on the base. Some of the letters appear to be traced because they were worn off. I hope you can help me in identifying this figurine. I love your site and have saved it in my favorites, as am an avid porcelain and china collector. I am attaching a picture of the printing on the base, as you only have the option for one picture, I am unable to show the figurine, it is depicting a royal couple standing by a billiard table with 4 billiard balls on top of it.

I appreciate any help you may be able to give me.

Respectfully

Dan

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Reply by Peter (Admin)

Hi Dan

Thanks for the kind comments!

Well, interesting find! Like I said many times, I am an enthusiast, not an expert appraiser, so I can just give any knowledge I have, and if I don't know, I'll say so.

Is this figurine is 'junk' or not.

I just know what my eye tells me and that say decidedly 'junk'. Just take a look at the 18th and 19th century figurines to see what I mean. Hopefully people can still make quality pieces in this more modern day and age (and I would like to call myself one of them), but this is not a quality piece.


It's hard to tell from such a distance, but to my eye, the figure shows classic stiffness and despite fine modeling on some bits the decoration is somewhat primitive and slapped on in tell-tale bold swirls. When did nice pieces ever have detailing of this course nature?

It shows a subject matter (billiards or poole) which could be a dating clue for an expert appraiser. The fact that the figurine is 'unmarked' or hand scrawled is also typical of an older piece - also cheap Far East modern production, sadly.

Could possibly be an older mass produced piece which wouldn't have the same value as a piece made by a famous name producer with a limited and rarer edition.

Having said all that, I feel it's still a nice looking and interesting piece (quite a find) but you'd have to get an expert to check it out, so don't take my word for it.

Thanks for the interesting story, Dan. If you do find a maker and a value, please come back and share with us.
Peter (admin)

p.s. The following page is a 'must see' if you are researching fine china - for value and identification:-

Researching the identity and value of antique and vintage fine china.