a rare pair of Doulton 'Carrara' figures of Spring and Summer, by Arthur Beere, 1890-1900

both loosely draped and with close-growing roses at their feet, Spring clutching a rose as she modestly holds her drapery to her hip, Summer wreathing flowers into her hair , on octagonal bases and separate columnar plinths, Doulton Carrara impressed marks (one with arm restored, minor chips)

associated literature
The Doulton Lambeth Wares, Desmond Eyles, London, 1975

Some chips to corners of plinths, right arm of the one holding her wreath restored.
"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. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

The Doulton Lambeth Wares, op.cit., p.193, illustrates the relevant page of the Doulton sales catalogue for 1910, with illustrations of all four of Arthur Beere's figures of the Seasons.

The model appears to have been created in 1880, but may have been produced at different periods in several different types of stoneware. The rare Carrara ware, produced between about 1887 and 1903, is a stoneware with a matt white glaze, in imitation of Italian Carrara marble.  The main sculptors of this ware were Arthur Beere, Herbert Ellis, J.B. Harding and John Broad.

These large Carrara ware figures are rarely found. At a retail price of six guineas each, they  would always have been an exotic production for the Doulton factory

Henry Doulton devoted his time to discovering new types of ceramic ware, always encouraging his Lambeth studio towards individual expression, considering that it was"better to bear with singularity than to crush originality".

It is likely that Beere, like most other ceramic modellers of the time, was following the work of  other sculptors, but the ultimate source for these figures is not known. They do bear very close comparison with the work of Edgar-George Papworth (1832-1927), much of whose work remains untraced. A figure of Maidenhood by Papworth was sold by  Sotheby's London, 10th December 2002, lot 146.