Bow figures originated around 1745. Thomas Frye and his silent partner, Edward Heylin, owned the patent. Their British factory made everyday, practical items, but will always be remembered for their porcelain figurines.
The porcelain used in Bow figures is very creamy and a soft paste. There are some visible black spots (peppering) and light opaque blues and purples visible in the figures. The Bow factory did not paint all of the figurines themselves. A lot of outsourcing was done, and independent artists have painted many of them.
Bow figurines are notable for the neatness of their heads, and they aren’t well defined or intricate. These figures are usually quite heavy and some have a square cut out on the backside for ormolu (finely-ground gold) additions.
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In later years of the Bow factory, the light and watery colors were replaced by darker, transparent colors. In 1776, the factory faced hardships. A partner had died and another had filed bankruptcy, despite having retail shops open near the Tower of London and the West End. Bow closed its doors that year and for a small sum, William Duesbury bought the rights to the molds and they went with him to Derby, England.
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