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Lot Essay
C. Crossman illustrates a large and magnificent set of five pewter Westerners in The China Trade, p. 369, and writes "A very small number of pairs and groups of pewter (oriental) figures in the form of westerners wearing tall hats are known...and would appear to have been made in the late 18th century although they are difficult to date". Most interestingly he also illustrates a gouache from the collection of the Peabody Essex Museum, Salem, showing the interior of a Canton pewter shop circa 1830, where we can see the variety of wares available to the early 19th century Western shopper.
In A Tale of Three Cities, pp. 195-99, D.S. Howard illustrates a number of versions of the type, demonstrating that most, if not all, were servant figures, ranging from European to Turkish, Persian and Southeast Asian. One pair (no. 260), very like the tall figures here, he dates to circa 1810. Howard also shows us two earlier Chinese bronzes featuring Westerners. In Chinese ceramics, also, the tradition of servant figures bearing vases or other offerings is well-known, and must have been adapted by the pewtersmiths to intrigue their clientele.
A pair of pewter figures bearing a tray was sold Northeast Auctions, 17 August 2002, lot 600.
In A Tale of Three Cities, pp. 195-99, D.S. Howard illustrates a number of versions of the type, demonstrating that most, if not all, were servant figures, ranging from European to Turkish, Persian and Southeast Asian. One pair (no. 260), very like the tall figures here, he dates to circa 1810. Howard also shows us two earlier Chinese bronzes featuring Westerners. In Chinese ceramics, also, the tradition of servant figures bearing vases or other offerings is well-known, and must have been adapted by the pewtersmiths to intrigue their clientele.
A pair of pewter figures bearing a tray was sold Northeast Auctions, 17 August 2002, lot 600.