Antique Staffordshire Porcelain White Roc Bird Pheasant Figurine 13"

Description

Large antique 19th century English Staffordshire porcelain figurine depicting a white roc bird / oriental pheasant perched on a stack of mossy rocks.

The roc is a mythical bird of prey from the Middle East that was once believed to be real. The roc is said to be so large that it could carry an elephant in its talons, and some legends say it could stand up to 20 feet tall with a wingspan of 43 feet.

The roc is featured in Arabian fairy tales and sailors' folklore, and appears in Arabic geographies and natural history.

The roc's origins are believed to be in Arabia or Persia, but some say it may have originated in India or China. Explorers like Marco Polo described the roc in travelers' tales, and one possible source of these tales may have been the Aepyornis, a 10-foot tall bird that lived on Madagascar and is now extinct.

Condition

Good Overall - wear to paint; crazing

Dimensions

6" x 3.5" x 13" (Width x Depth x Height)