Interior Design/Ornament: After the Antique:... Lot 27

Interior Design/Ornament: After the Antique: An extremely rare and fine Pulham terracotta figure of the Capitoline Flora early 20th century stamped Pulham Broxbourne, 170cm high, on earlier pedestal signed J. M. Blashfield, Stamford, 262cm high overall Click to view video The Pulham company was established in 1820 but made terracotta from around 1846 onwards into the 20th Century, with workshops in Broxbourne, Hertfordshire. By the 1880’s the company was concentrating on garden and landscape ornaments. A catalogue of 1915, indicates that their wares were made of “Pulhamite” stone, which, is considered the best material for all designed stonework in connection with the garden for the following reasons: Pulhamite stone is more durable than natural stone, for it never decays and never shells or flakes, cement is not used in its composition, it is a lighter substance, making more elegant productions than any other so called artificial stone. This is an important point, as the sides of a Pulhamite vase give more space for soil. It is the colour of light stone. There is nothing deleterious to plant life in it, in fact, owing to the nature of the material, the opposite may be said in its favour. We guarantee its durability, and can refer to work which has been exposed for 70 years. If desired we can reproduce in the antique style, and copies can be made from practically any existing examples. The company held appointments to H.M. King Edward VII, H.M. King George V and H.M. Queen Alexandria. This extremely rare figure of the Capitoline Flora does not appear in either of the early 20th century Pulham catalogues, suggesting that it was a one off commission. This is certainly borne out by the quality and detailing especially in the face and floral entwined hair, which is of the highest standard. The Capitoline Flora