Rare 18th Century Derby Porcelain Figure of Gardener Patch Marks c.1770 Model No. 7

A rare Derby porcelain figure of a gardener, a young man in breeches and shirt, with floral patterned, belted waistcoat and brimmed hat. Stood on a rocky base with a few flowers and leaves dotted about. He leans his left arm casually on top of his spade and holds a flower pot in his right hand. This is an early version of the model; he is stood perched on a tree trunk with small bocage to one side. His left leg is deeply bent and the foot tucked on tiptoe behind his right. The later versions, often incised model "7", have a different leg and foot position and the gardener is stood in front of a pillar with no bocage. Patch marks, c.1770-1775. Reference: Bradshaw plate 130 shows an example of the later version incised "7", as does DPIS Derby Porcelain Figures, Shepherd, page 252.