Europa and the Bull 18th Century Derby Porcelain Figure Group

An 18th century, circa 1765, Derby figural group of Europa and the Bull in soft-paste porcelain, painted in enamels and gilded. 27.7cm (10.9in). Marks: Expected patch marks to base. Condition: Old, extensive professional restoration, now showing slightly yellowed. This could be easily improved. There are losses to the flowers and leaves garlanding the bull, and the tip of its left horn. The rump of the bull shows a meandering crack and there is another on its flank just behind its left foreleg. These are probably firing cracks although the one on its rump is in an area of restoration, so may be related to that. The loose turquoise scarf billowing behind Europa shows a line about halfway up which is probably a repair and there are a couple of small chips adjacent to that. It’s hard to be sure if the restoration has returned it to its full original form as variation is usual in Derby figures. Notes: Rare enough anyway, due to the delicacy of this group there are few undamaged or unrestored examples still surviving and such would fetch a very high premium. References: Bradshaw, Peter. Derby Porcelain Figures 1750-1848, Pg:111 Pl:93. Faber and Faber, 1990. V&A Museum. Accession number C.306-1940 The British Museum. Museum number 1981,0101.420