A RARE MINTONS MAJOLICA 'RABBIT AND DUCK HEADS' GAME PIE TUREEN, COVER AND LINER 1876

attributed to Paul Comolera, the elliptical tureen of waisted form, glazed in ochre and cobalt and raised on a fixed basketweave stand with green rope-twist handles, the cover modeled with two hares' heads and two male mallards' heads, the ears of the hares joining to form the handle impressed MINTONS, date code and shape number 1990.

Sold, Sotheby's, London, November 19, 1991, lot 317

Please note that this condition report has been updated. The liner is chipped in many spots along outer rim. There is a 6-in. haircrack to the base and an associated 1-in. chip to the inner rim of the tureen and other minor chips and haircracks and a tiny chip to the tip of one rabbit's ear. Otherwise the tureen and cover are in generally good condition.
In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective qualified opinion.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING CONDITION OF A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD "AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF SALE PRINTED IN THE CATALOGUE.

This model of game pie tureen has been attributed to the French-born designer Paul Comolera, who worked for Mintons from 1873 to 1880.  During his time at Mintons, Comolera's became best known for his life-size Majolica animal sculptures, the most famous being the five foot tall "Peacock" modelled in 1873. 

This extraordinarily rare model had not appeared at auction until the November 1991 sale in which the present lot was sold by Sotheby's, London, establishing a world record for a piece of majolica.  Since that sale, three other tureens have appeared at auction.  Two tureens were sold by Sotheby's London on November 14, 1995, lot 359, and April 15, 1997, lot 281, and one damaged tureen by Phillips, London, September 18, 1996, lot 210.

A similar game pie tureen is illustrated by Marilyn G. Karmason and Joan B. Stacke in Majolica, A Complete History and Illustrated Survey, p. 48.  Another example is illustrated on the cover of Victoria Cecil, Minton Majolica, No, 52.