Beswick Beatrix Potter – Timmy Willie Figurine – c.1974-1985

Description

An original Beswick figure depicting Timmy Willie, the country mouse from Beatrix Potter’s The Tale of Johnny Town-Mouse, produced under licence from Frederick Warne & Co.

The figure shows Timmy Willie seated upright on a broad naturalistic leaf base, with his rounded brown body, pale face and chest, small black eyes and long tail carefully picked out in Beswick’s characteristic naturalistic colouring. The simplicity of the pose closely reflects Potter’s original conception of the timid country mouse who finds himself transported to the unfamiliar surroundings of the town.

The model was designed by Arthur Gredington and first introduced by Beswick in 1949. It remained in production for many years, during which a number of different factory backstamps were used.

The underside of this example carries the brown printed inscription:

“BEATRIX POTTER
‘Timmy Willie’
From
‘Johnny Town-Mouse’
© Frederick Warne & Co. 1949
Licensed by Copyrights
BESWICK ENGLAND”

The printed 1949 date records the original copyright and introduction of the model rather than the manufacturing year of this individual figure. The form of the brown printed backstamp on this example is associated with Beswick production during approximately the mid-1970s to mid-1980s.

Timmy Willie is one of the enduring characters from Beswick’s Beatrix Potter series and this compact figure is particularly attractive for its strong modelling, restrained colouring and distinctive leafy base.

Condition

Very good condition. No obvious chips, cracks or restoration visible from inspection. There is some light expected rubbing and marking to the underside of the base consistent with age and previous display. Please examine the photographs carefully, as they form part of the description.

Maker

Beswick, England.

Designer

Arthur Gredington.

Date

c.1974–1985. The model was originally introduced in 1949.

Size

Approximately 7 cm tall.

Material

Glazed ceramic.

Construction

Moulded ceramic figure with hand-painted decoration and integral naturalistic leaf base.

Backstamp

Brown printed Beatrix Potter / Timmy Willie from Johnny Town-Mouse / Frederick Warne & Co. copyright 1949 / Licensed by Copyrights / Beswick England mark.

Why Buy from Hornseys?

Every item offered by Hornseys is handled, inspected and catalogued in-house before being offered for sale. We take particular care to identify manufacturers, edition details, materials, accessories and condition accurately, using the object itself and its surviving original documentation wherever possible.

Hornseys has been established in Ripon, North Yorkshire, since 1976, and our stock encompasses fine art, illustration, rare books, collectables, toys and unusual decorative objects.

We provide free UK delivery, carefully packed tracked shipping and a 14-day unconditional return guarantee, provided the item is returned in the same condition in which it was supplied.

(BR)