Odd figurine - male ice skater with ball !? Age?

Why odd?
There seem to be few Male figurines of skaters.
He has a ball in one hand.
The exaggerated prow or toe of the skate.

I think he's spelter. His boot bottom scratches silver.
He's 4 3/4" tall alone, 6 1/2" on his base.
He weighs 270g alone, his pedestal weighs 55g, very light wood, dry and cracked.

He's not playing Bandy, but - cricket on ice? Yes, apparently, but on skates?
Is this a young cricket bowler?

Are the skates rendered with artistic licence or accurately reflective of an era?
Well, that could depend on nationality and manufacturer to a degree.
Looking closely, there seems to be 3 straps holding his skate to his boot.

Was he decorated with copper paint or is that the way the alloy looks?
Any info anyone can contribute appreciated !
(He isn't as bright as he looks - I've lit him to show detail.)

 

Maybe the ice was the best place to play 'bowls' in winter????

 

Indeed, and they did ! There are pictures, but I haven't seen any with them wearing skates. I've read that "ruffians" would disrupt genteel "skating frolics" with impromptu attempts at popular games while on skates ! Maybe spelter boy is a Victorian ruffian !

 

Probably has a thin copper plating or "wash".

 

Maybe he's an anarchist tossing a grenade, and on skates for a quick getaway.

 

My guess is a snowball.

 

DUH!!!
Probably Bakers!!!

 

Good grief! It seems so obvious now that you mention it!

 

Sanity prevails!

 

Is anyone able to date it or seen similar? I know there are images of higher end bronze figures but there seem to be very few male skater statuettes, either high end or low outside of ceramics.

 

Made me think of Hans Brinker. Don't know if he threw snowballs though
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hans_Brinker,_or_The_Silver_Skates

 

Hi Tom

I have TWO of these skaters. They sat on my Nan's dressing table her whole life. She knew I loved them and passed them on to me when she passed away.

 

We have enough skaters for an Ice Show ! Maybe now an expert in period clothing can assign an era to them. Thanks for posting yours !

 

I would say they are from the Victorian era. I would love a valuation.

 

I'm inclined to agree. But we don't know if the figurine designer chose clothing appropriate to the ice skating attire in that era (which was also a very long era !) or simply attire reflective of an era. It's a fun mystery.

 

still done in one way or another, boccia on ice. for fun only.