A fine and rare Chelsea white-glazed tawny owl

A fine and rare Chelsea white-glazed tawny owl, naturalistically modelled and perched on a rocky mound, unmarked, triangle-raised anchor period, c.1748-50, 19.5cm. Only a small number of Chelsea models of owls are known, all of which are white glazed. Similar models from Staffordshire in white saltglazed stoneware parallel the Chelsea owls, (cf. Christies, The Rous Lench Collection 1990, lot 177), and Bow owls, usually polychrome decorated and less naturalistic, are also known. It is peculiar that the model is not illustrated in any of the major works on Chelsea porcelain.