Two Staffordshire pearlware bocage groups circa 1820

the first, 'Songsters', modelled as two couples each atop a rocky outcrop playing a different musical instrument, flanking an archway surmounted by a flowering bocage on a canted rectangular base; the second, 'Performing dog troupe', as a bagpiper and companion with their performing dogs, now mounted as a lamp.

Musician group: some minor chips and losses to the leaves of the bocage and the applied flowers; minor flat chip to the mandolin player's right forearm; the French horn player's left arm and the horn have been broken off and restored back; the triangle player's instrument is broken away; the heads and necks of both swans are restored; some minor small chips to the top and bottom edges of the base. Preforming dogs: some minor chips and losses to the bocage; the woman's right forearm is restored, the front paws of the dog she holds are restored, there is a pinhead chip to the end of her nose and an enamelled and glazed-over factory-related chip to the brim of her hat; the end of the bagpipe is restored; the front paws of the dog standing on the base were at one point restored and are now missing; the other dog is broken away from the base above the paws and is retained separately - both its front paws are restored and one restoration is now missing. Another dog on the base has been broken off and the figure is lacking. Additionally, the underside of the base has been filled with plaster, which secures a long screw bolting the group to the wooden base.
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.

A group similar to the first was in the Reed Fitt Collection, sold at Lawrences, Taunton, February 15, 2000, lot 220. A similar performing dog group was in also in the same collection, lot 262, as well as in the Collection of Josephine and Walter Buhl Ford II, sold in these rooms, October 6, 2006, lot 136.