A pair of pearlware figures of the boxers Tom Cribb and Tom Molineux, each modelled standing, stripped to the waist, their fists raised, posts beside them, above mound bases, enriched in enamel colours (restoration to both figures), circa 1812-1815 -- 8¾in. high

细节
A pair of pearlware figures of the boxers Tom Cribb and Tom Molineux, each modelled standing, stripped to the waist, their fists raised, posts beside them, above mound bases, enriched in enamel colours (restoration to both figures), circa 1812-1815 -- 8¾in. high

See Front Cover Illustration (2)

拍品专文

C.f Pat Halfpenny, English Earthernware Figures, p.197 for an illustration and comments on two similar figures

Tom Cribb, widely acknowleged as one of the best 'bare knuckle fighters' of his time, was born in 1781. His reputation as a prizefighter led to his being challenged in 1810 by the black American boxer Tom Molineux for the international heavyweight title. The fight lasted for thirty-three rounds before Molineaux's eventual defeat. Cribb then retired. Molineaux, determined to fight him again and win, issued a challenge to any man in England to fight him for the title, and defeated Joe Rimmer to win it. This brought Cribb out of retirement. Their second title fight took place in Leicester before a crowd of 25,000 and once again saw Cribb the victor.