Very Rare 1912 Royal Doulton Lambeth H23 Figurine Sam Weller by Leslie Harradine

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Very Rare 1912 Royal Doulton Lambeth H23 Figurine Sam Weller by Leslie Harradine:
$970.52

This is a magnificent and very rare, buff slip cast stoneware, Royal Doulton, Lambeth, England, 1912 figurine,called \'Sam Weller\' Dickens first version, model number H23, designed by Leslie Harradine.

This exquisite andrare, 1912 figurine, depicts Sam Weller acharacter from Dickens, standing wearing a waistcoat, with boot in hand, raised with one leg upon a plinth, with impressed marks to base.Please look at all 12 photos to fully appreciate this exquisite figurine !!!!

Its inabsolutely fantastic originalcondition, manufactured byRoyal Doulton, Lambeth, England.The figure haseven been depictedandcreated with realistic ripples too enhancemovementand shape, that\'s the extent of the detail,in this truly fabulous figurine.The detailing and workmanship is superb, a realstrong vibrant statement piece,absolutely exquisite. I really don\'t believe my pictures are doing this slip cast stoneware figurine true justice.

The basehas all the impressed Royal Doulton, Lambeth, England, distinct markings, with initials FT, guaranteed 100% genuine.

Condition ... No chips, cracks, scratches, damage or restoration. Just avery nice stunning early Royal Doulton, Lambeth, England, figurine.

Sam Weller ....

A fictional characterin The Pickwick Papers, the first novel byCharles Dickens, and is the character that made Dickens famous.Weller first appeared in the tenth serialised episode.Previously the monthly parts of the book had been doing badly — the humour of the character transformed the book into a publishing phenomenon. Weller\'s way of quoting people has led to thewellerism,often a type of proverb.

In chapter 10 of the novel, the eponymous heroMr Pickwickmeets Sam Weller working at theWhite Hart InninThe Boroughand soon takes him on as a personal servant and companion on his travels. The relationship between the idealistic and unworldly Pickwick and the astute cockney Wellerhas often been likened to that betweenDon QuixoteandSancho Panza.

Leslie Harradine (1887-1965) ....

Leslie Harradine joined theDoulton Lambethstudio as an apprentice in 1902 working underGeorge Tinworthwhile studying part-time at the Camberwell School of Arts. He went on to qualify and work in theRoyal Doultondesign department. His main interest lay in clay sculpture and the design of free standing figures and he producedseveral prototypeswhich came to the attention ofCharles Noke RoyalDoulton\'s art director.

Despite his interest in figure modelling, and his apparent skill in that area, Leslie Harradine was required to design vases for the Lambeth Art Studios something he was not happy doing. His ambition was to set up his own small modelling studio where he could do the work he loved. In 1912 Leslie Harradine left Royal Doulton and emigrated toCanada with his brother where they purchased a farm.

In 1916 the two brothers joined the army and leftCanada to fight the great war in France. After only a short while Leslie Harradine was injured and spent time in hospital back in England.Leslie Harradine had not been back in England for long when CharlesNoke offered him a job as a figure designer at the Burslemworks but he refused. Leslie had grown to like his independence and wanted to work only for himself. He did, however, eventually agree to send Charles Noke some samples of his models on a freelance basis and so, in 1920, the first of his Royal Doulton figures, HN 395, \'Contentment\' was released.

Leslie Harradine provided a regular supply of figures to Royal Doulton for almost forty years but always on a truly freelance basis, Leslie Harradine was the one to decide what he would model, and when, and he would send these, maybe up to three at a time, on a monthly basis to the Burslem works. It is said that the other designers and painters would all gather round eagerly when his monthly shipment was unpacked to see what he had \"come up with this time\".

Many hugely popular models flowed from his small home studio. His new creations were shipped to the potteriesuntil the late 1950s when he eventually informed Royal Doultonof his intention to retire.In 1961 he moved to Spainwhere he lived and modelled local peasants in terra cotta (just for pleasure) until his death in 1965.The rest is history.Leslie Harradine is without doubt the most Iconic artist ever to have worked for Royal Doulton, his pieces are collected and revered the world over !!!!

Dimensions as follows ....

Height: 9.5 inches or 24.5 cm

Depth: 2.5 inches or 6.5 cm

Weight: 1lb or 469 grams

Royal Doulton Lambeth is today regarded as one of the most influential ceramic manufacturer\'s of the early 20th Century andtheir work is collected valued and admired throughout the world.Whoever buys this truely beautifulpiece ofRoyal Doulton Lambeth pottery, will not be disappointed, it\'sjust so striking.

This very rare highly sought-after early figurine H23 \'Sam Weller\'would make a superb gift and solid future investment.These stunning Royal Doulton Lambeth figurines, have become so very desirable/collectable, andare really appreciating in value.

Thefigurine will be carefully packaged and postedrecorded, special delivery with insurance.

Please note, all my international postal charges are only estimates and will be confirmed and altered up or down when I know the destination to where, items are being sent.Please also note I only charge actual costs of postage and packaging with insurance, no more.

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