Beswick Beatrix Potter – Tommy Brock Figurine – c.1975-1985

Description

An original Beswick figure depicting Tommy Brock, the badger from Beatrix Potter’s The Tale of Mr. Tod, produced under licence from Frederick Warne & Co.

The figure shows Tommy Brock standing on a naturalistic grassy base, dressed in a blue jacket, red waistcoat and yellow trousers, with a sack carried over his shoulder and a spade held at his side. The badger’s strongly modelled head, dark facial markings and substantial rounded body make this one of the most distinctive figures in Beswick’s Beatrix Potter series.

The model was designed by Graham Orwell and first introduced by Beswick in 1955. Several variations were produced over its long period of manufacture. This example is the later “handle in” form, in which the spade handle is moulded close to the body rather than standing free. The larger dark eye patches and red waistcoat are also characteristic of the later version, introduced during the mid-1970s.

The underside carries the brown printed inscription:

“BEATRIX POTTER’S
‘Tommy Brock’
F. Warne & Co. Ltd.
© Copyright 1955
BESWICK ENGLAND”

The 1955 date records the copyright and original introduction of the design and should not be interpreted as the precise manufacturing year of this individual figure. Brown printed Beatrix Potter backstamps such as this belong to the later period of Beswick production.

A substantial and characterful Beswick Beatrix Potter figure, particularly appealing for the strongly modelled badger subject and its recognisable scene from one of Potter’s later tales.

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

Graham Orwell.

Date

c.1975–1985. The Tommy Brock model was originally introduced in 1955; this later handle-in variation was introduced in the mid-1970s.

Size

Approximately 9 cm tall.

Material

Glazed ceramic.

Construction

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

Backstamp

Brown printed Beatrix Potter / F. Warne & Co. Ltd. copyright 1955 / 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)