The SylvaC Pink Rabbit

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The charming SylvaC rabbits are among the most instantly recognisable pieces of British collectable pottery. First produced during the 1930s, they appeared in numerous sizes, poses and colours over more than four decades.

Green is the colour most closely associated with the classic SylvaC rabbit, with blue examples also regularly encountered. Considerably less common are the distinctive SylvaC Pink Rabbits, which have developed a particular following among collectors.

SylvaC Pink Rabbits showing three graduated sizes. This attractive group sold for £120 at Clevedon Salerooms in November 2022.

The SylvaC Rabbit

The story of the SylvaC rabbit dates back to the early 1930s. According to the traditional company history, Richard Hull encountered a similar rabbit while visiting France and recognised that the idea could be commercially successful for Shaw & Copestake.

Sylvac Snub Nose PINK Bunny Rabbit 1028. Sold for £205.20, ebay, Sep 2026.

The resulting rabbits proved enormously popular. The best-known designs depict a seated rabbit with long pointed ears, prominent dark eyes and carefully modelled fur. Over the years the range expanded to include crouching rabbits, lop-eared rabbits, designs with ears in different positions, comic rabbits and the well-known Harry the Hare.

They were produced in numerous glazes and colours, but the unusual pink colourway gives otherwise familiar models a very different appearance.

Which SylvaC Rabbit Models Were Made in Pink?

Pink was not restricted to a single SylvaC rabbit. Documented auction examples show the colour being used on several different models and sizes.

These include models 990, 1027 and 1028, as well as smaller rabbit models, the later lop-eared model 1302 and Harry the Hare.

Model 1027 is one of the recognisable snub-nosed sitting rabbits and stands approximately 20–21cm high. Larger pink examples are also known, including model 1028, which stands approximately 25cm high.

The model number is important when comparing rabbits and their values. Collectors should check the impressed number on the underside wherever possible rather than identifying an example by colour and approximate size alone.

SylvaC Pink Lop-Eared Rabbit Model 1302

The later SylvaC model 1302 has a very different character from the familiar upright-eared rabbits. Its exaggerated lop ears and comic expression are typical of some of the more playful animal designs produced by SylvaC.

The pink model 1302 illustrated above sold for £40 on eBay in January 2023.

SylvaC Pink Harry the Hare

Harry the Hare is another distinctive SylvaC design known in pink. Harry differs from the rounder domestic rabbit models, with his long upright ears and more elongated hare-like appearance.

The pink Harry the Hare illustrated above sold for £75 on eBay in January 2021.

Matt and Gloss Pink SylvaC Rabbits

Glaze is another feature worth considering when identifying a SylvaC rabbit. Matt glazes became an important part of the company’s animal production and are strongly associated with the classic SylvaC look.

Later rabbits can also be encountered with glossy finishes. Colour, glaze and model should therefore all be recorded when comparing one rabbit with another.

The rabbits remained in production for decades, with production continuing into the 1970s. This long production period helps explain the considerable number of models, sizes, colours and finishes encountered by collectors today.

Identifying a Genuine Pink SylvaC Rabbit

Because the classic SylvaC animals have been reproduced, collectors should use several features when identifying a pink rabbit.

Check the mould number, dimensions, quality of modelling, glaze and marks against a documented example. A SylvaC mark by itself should not necessarily be regarded as sufficient evidence of authenticity.

Pieces copied from an original mould can sometimes be slightly smaller as a result of shrinkage and may show less sharply defined detail. The quality of the fur, facial features, feet and other moulded details can therefore be useful when comparing examples.

For more information about factory marks and model numbers see our SylvaC Pottery History, Identification and Collecting Guide.

How Much Is a SylvaC Pink Rabbit Worth?

Values for the more commonly encountered green and blue SylvaC rabbits have changed considerably over the years, but pink rabbits continue to attract collector interest because they are encountered less frequently.

There is no single value for a pink rabbit. Model, size, colour, glaze, condition and rarity all need to be considered. Documented realised prices are therefore more useful than applying a general price range to every pink example.

SylvaC Pink Rabbit Auction and Sale Results

Three Graduated Pink SylvaC Rabbits – £120

A group of three graduated pink SylvaC rabbits sold for £120 at Clevedon Salerooms in November 2022. The group demonstrates particularly well the different sizes in which the classic sitting rabbit design can be found.

Pink SylvaC Rabbits Models 1027, 990 and 106 – £75

A group of pink SylvaC rabbits sold by Denhams in April 2019 included a model 1027 measuring approximately 21cm high, a model 990 measuring approximately 11cm and a pair of smaller model 106 rabbits measuring approximately 9cm. The group sold for £75.

Large Pink SylvaC Rabbit 1028 and Blue Rabbit 1026 – £210

A large pink SylvaC rabbit model 1028, approximately 25cm high, was offered together with a blue model 1026 by Smiths of Newent on 12 August 2022. The pair sold for a hammer price of £210.

As two rabbits were included in the lot, the result cannot be used as an individual valuation for the pink model 1028, but it provides useful market evidence for the larger pink rabbit.

SylvaC Pink Harry the Hare – £75

A pink Harry the Hare sold on eBay in January 2021 for £75.

SylvaC Pink Lop-Eared Rabbit 1302 – £40

A pink SylvaC lop-eared rabbit model 1302 sold on eBay in January 2023 for £40.

What Affects the Value of a Pink SylvaC Rabbit?

Condition is particularly important. Rabbit ears are vulnerable to chips, cracks and restoration, while damage can also occur around the feet and other projecting areas. Crazing and staining should also be considered.

Model and size matter as well. Some rabbit shapes and sizes are considerably harder to find than others, and a scarce model in an unusual pink glaze can attract greater interest than a more frequently encountered example.

Collectors should also look carefully at colour and glaze. Pink itself can vary considerably in appearance, from pale shades through to much stronger pink and rose tones.

Other Pink SylvaC Animals

Pink was not used exclusively for rabbits. Other SylvaC animals, including some dogs and squirrels, can also be found in pink and related colourways.

These unusual colours provide another interesting collecting area, particularly for collectors who already own the more familiar green versions of the same models.