Description:Pictured is a Royal Scots Greys Bandmaster, c. 1914, from a series of British Military Musicians created by Michael Sutty, who specialised in fine bone china sculptures of military and naval figures, hero busts and was later inspired by the works of Sir William Russell Flint.
Michael Sutty was born in 1937. In later years after serving his time in the Army, Michael experimented with clay and for several years worked alone producing military figures. The business became established around 1962 and in November 1985 Michael Sutty Porcelain Limited had a Gallery and Sales Office at 11 Duke Street, St. James, London and a Head Office at The Porcelain Manufactory, Brick Kiln Lane, Etruria, Stoke on Trent. Later the Gallery moved into the Thomas Goode store in South Audley Street, Mayfair, London. During 1990 the Gallery moved to 62 Burlington Arcade, London and the Studio was located in a large Unit at the Glades, Festival Park, Etruria, Stoke on Trent. The Sales Catalogue of April 1990 contained around 180 Military figures and Regimental items and from the Festival Park Studio, Michael and his team which included Peter Clarke, produced a much wider range of porcelain including a series of figures from paintings by Sir William Russell Flint and a range of miniature animals. Around 1995 the Gallery moved to 15 New Bridge Street, London and the Studio to the Stoke on Trent Enterprise Centre, Shelton, Stoke on Trent. In 1999 the business then known as Michael Sutty Fine China moved the Gallery to 5 Royal Parade, Chislehurst, Kent, while the Studio and manufacturing continued in Stoke on Trent.
Over the years Michael Sutty created and produced many fine examples of famous individuals with Lord Nelson, Duke of Wellington, Captain Kelly, Winston Churchill, Napoleon Bonaparte and Lawrence of Arabia etc. Military figures representing many Regiments including the Household Division, the Royal Regiment of Fusiliers and the Royal Irish Rangers etc. and set pieces such as the raising of the Union Flag by ‘C’ Company of 40 Commando, Royal Marines at San Carlos Bay, Falklands on 21 May 1982. Michael was a fine equine sculptor and created mounted pieces representing Captain Kelly of the Life Guards engaging the Colonel of the French Curassiers at Waterloo, 1815 and a Trooper of the Royal Scots Greys fighting with Russian Hussars at Balaclava, 1854.
Michael Sutty became ill in 2001 and during October the business began to sell off the remaining stock and closed. Eve Clark was the Gallery and business face for Michael’s collectors and customers for around 30 years; it was reported in The Times newspaper that they married shortly before Michael’s death in 2003.