Description
Onyx Polar Bear on a Rock Crystal Iceberg
From our Sculpture collection, we are thrilled to offer this White Onyx Polar Bear by Alfred Lyndhurst Pocock. The Polar bear beautifully carved with a naturalistic look finished with cabochon ruby eyes stood upon a natural rock crystal base simulating an iceberg. The Polar Bear was carved by the Faberge sculptor Alfred Lyndhurst Pocock (1882-1962) during the first half of the 20th century circa 1920 and a good example by the Faberge sculptor following the success of Pocock’s wax animals for Queen Alexandra.
Provenance this sculpture was owned by the family of Percy and Winifred Bottley. The Bottleys ran the gem dealership Gregory & Bottley from the 1930s (later Gregory, Bottley & Lloyd), and worked with Pocock supplying him with gemstones for his carvings. When Pocock died he left this collection to the couple.
Alfred Lyndhurst Pocock (1882-1962). Worked for the London branch of Fabergé as well as working independently. He won a scholarship to the Royal Academy Schools in 1903 where he studied from 27 January 1903 to January 1906 and began working for Fabergé in 1905. The RA had recommended Pocock when the company’s European manager, Henry Charles Bainbridge needed some wax models of animals for Queen Alexandra, these were sent to Russia for carving in semi-precious stone. The models by Pocock pleased Queen Alexandra and later her royal highness acquired gem carvings from Pocock. According to Bainbridge’s book ‘Peter Carl Fabergé: Goldsmith and Jeweller to the Russian Imperial Court – His Life and Work (first published in 1949), Pocock was one of the sculptors who worked at Sandringham in 1907 alongside Boris Frodman-Cluzel and Frank Lutiger on Fabergé items for King Edward VII and Queen Alexandra.
Pocock with one of his Polar Bear carvings nicknamed ‘Jazz’
Pocock with clients discussing his carvings
Shop display of Pococks collection
Portrait of Carl Fabergé by Alfred Lyndhurst Pocock. A La Vieille Russie, New York
Measurements – Bear 6cm High x 10.5cm Long x 4cm Wide Rock Crystal 3.5cm High x 13cm wide x 9cm deep Overall Dimensions 9.5cm High x 13cm Wide x 9cm Deep
Condition Excellent
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