A STAFFORDSHIRE LEAD-GLAZED ENAMELLED GROUP OF A WATER BUFFALO AND BOY CIRCA 1760

streaked in manganese and blue, modelled with a smiling Chinese boy wearing a cap and belted costume clasping a spherical object in his hands, seated on the back of an open-mouthed water buffalo. Minor restoration.

Heisel Collection, bearing collection label, no. 352.

The underside of the buffalo's jaw, the outer edge of the right ear, and a small chip to the side of the right foot have all been restored. There is a glazed over firing chip to his left ear. Both horns are missing since the original firing. The figure has been off through the thighs and lower body and restored back on.
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.

Probably inspired by a Chinese bronze original, this model of a water buffalo is known in a  number of forms: with or without a seated attendant and free standing or on a flat base with a low tree.  A group similar to the present example, with the seated boy facing forward, was in the collection of Elisabeth Halsey Dock, sold in these rooms, April 16, 1993, lot 37.  Other variants include a young boy seated side-ways on the buffalo holding fruit, an example of which is illustrated by Leslie B. Grigsby, The Henry H. Weldon Collection: English Pottery 1650-1800, p. 354, no. 208, where the author comments upon fragments of a water buffalo leg found at the Thomas Whieldon, Fenton Vivian site, concluding that this or other models like it were made at that factory, as well as at others.