Royal Worcester Indian Craftsmen Porcelain Figure “shaban”, 1888

A highly important Royal Worcester porcelain sculpture from the Indian Craftsmen series, modelled in 1888 by James Hadley. The figure depicts Shaban, the maker of gold brocade, seated before his spinning wheel on a woven mat, dressed in traditional costume with an embroidered Indian topi cap.

Finished in the celebrated Blush Ivory glazes with refined enamel accents and subtle gilding, the surface displays the exceptional quality associated with Royal Worcester’s exhibition-level sculptural wares.

Created during the height of Victorian exhibition culture and Britain’s fascination with Indian craftsmanship, the Indian Craftsmen series was produced in very limited numbers and intended as museum-standard decorative sculpture.

The base bears full factory markings, registration number 63494, pattern number 1203, and date codes for 1888. Figures from this series are regarded as among the rarest and most desirable sculptural works produced by Royal Worcester.

Measurements

Height: 16 cm / 6.3″
Width: 13 cm / 5.1″
Depth: 12.5 cm / 4.9″
Weight: 444 g

Condition

A small chip to the lower part of the instrument (spinning wheel); otherwise in superb condition.