The present model is one of the 'Five Boys by Fiammingo' listed in Wedgwood's 1773 catalogue as available in a variety of bodies. They are after a series of studies of children by the 17th century Franco-Flemish sculptor François Duquesnoy, referred to at Wedgwood as Il Fiammingo. These models are also related to an ivory example by Artus Qullinus the Elder now in the Collection of the Walters Art Gallery, Baltimore.

The model proved to be extremely popular and was produced in porcelain in England by Chelsea and in France by Sevres.

Cf. Reilly, Wedgwood, Vol. 1, pp. 464-465, plates 667A, B, C, 669