Chelsea Head of a Child modelled after Duquesnoy, Circa 1750

Rare Chelsea white model of a Child’s Head after Fiammingo turned slightly to his left and tilted downwards, his lips parted and hair tousled; on a waisted wooden socle.

Only five other models of this child’s head appear to be recorded:

The collection of Lord and Lady Fisher, illustrated in English Pottery and Porcelain, the catalogue of the English Ceramic Circle Exhibition, May 4 – June 10, 1948, pl. 54, no. 255. Property of Dr. and Mrs. Bellamy Gardner, sold at Sotheby’s, London, June 12 1941; subsequently in the collection of Miss Margaret MacHarg, sold at Sotheby’s, London, May 16, 1961, lot 146; and sold again at Sotheby’s London, June 13, 1995, lot 415. Property of Sir Bernard Eckstein, from the collection of Lord Boston, sold at Sotheby’s, London, March 29, 1949, lot 88; subsequently Property of Mr. and Mrs. James MacHarg, sold at Sotheby’’, London, May 22, 1962.

Property of a Gentleman, sold at Sotheby’s, London, October 30, 1962; subsequently Property of an Australian Collector, sold at Christie’s, London, June 7, 1994.

The Rous Lench Collection, sold at Christie’s, London, May 30, 1990, lot 346.

According to Elizabeth Adams “Chelsea Porcelain” P.31. in the early part of the seventeenth century the Flemish sculptor, François Duquesnoy, spent most of his life in Italy and was popularly known as Il Fiammingo.