Does this Vulcan/fire figurine look like Bow porcelain?

Perhaps it is Samson?

 

In more ways this figure looks based on Cupid/Eros than on Vulcan/Hephaestus. In addition to archery equipment, it used to be conceived that Cupid carried a torch, to inflame passions. The diagonal strap across his chest would usually be holding a quiver on his back. The blacksmith god is generally depicted as an older bearded man wearing leather/skin, not as an essentially naked youth.

 

You saw this?

https://18thcenturyporcelain.com/english/



I think they are wrong in identifying the figure as female, but does appear to be allegorical for the element of fire*.

Think I see a phoenix rising from the flames on yours that I did not notice before.

Edit: * Too many flowers for fire. Think it spring & the return of warmth.

 

And here is yours as a (broken) season:

https://www.wottonauctionrooms.co.u...general-sale-viewing-17th-april-sal-lot-1058/



As a season he seems to represent winter, warming himself at the fire.

 

Wonder if the flame hasn't snapped off of this one, leading the auctioneer to think it was about drawing water:

https://www.invaluable.com/auction-...n-figures-of-a-man-and-lady--146-c-5ad41c1826

 

Seller says this is Samson, definitely Vulcan/Hephaestus, & does also have the strap across the chest, so perhaps a clue:




https://www.proantic.com/en/1528540...n-and-hephaestus-greek-mythology-c-1850s.html

 

Your guy seems to do double duty:

https://www.gentlerattleofchina.com...vtDkGppzd1gdk-W0Ni_uKTFh_4CPxT3qgeyPoihFQd8gx

 

Where I'm at for now: he is part of a 4 elements set, sometimes re-/mis-interpreted as the seasons. The one with all the flowers is an aberration.

 

Best guess, yours is Samson's simplified version of the Bow original.

 

I can see the skin tones look different on mine. What other features do you see that tip the balance in favor of Samson? The lack of detail on the rococco pedestal?

 

The lack of detail there, on the jar with the flame, on the pedestal...all over.

The last site I linked has an extensive description, yet only describes the figures as large, without giving any measurements. This might be a way to compare, if we can get the figures for others.

Ceramics is not my field, mythology & allegory are, so I was learning on the fly. Looks to me like Samson (or Sampson as one of them has it) & Bow created more affordable versions of work by the big names, e.g., Meissen, Chelsea, Derby. A lot of cross-pollination. Then the variations created by hand painting... I assume you have found no mark, either impressed or painted?

I see no damage on yours? That makes it a standout among others that have been on the market.

 

No there is damage. You see the left thumb has a chip so part of the thumb is holding the torch and then there's a gap and then the rest of the thimb

 

That's very weird, isn't it? How just that one little bit got knocked off but the rest of the hand is intact. At least yours has the pot & the flame.

Was wondering how your phoenix looks.