Lot Essay
Cf. Len and Yvonne Adams, Meissen Portrait Figures, p.214
See illustration on page ??
See illustration on page ??
COMMEDIA DELL'ARTE FIGURES
MADE FOR THE DUKE OF WEISSENFELS
The Commedia dell'Arte series created for the Duke of Saxe Weissenfels, first cousin of Augustus III of Saxony and derived from Joullain's engravings for Riccoboni's Histoire du Théâtre italien, published in Paris in 1727, is of great interest for three reasons. It was the most extensive figure series so far created in porcelain; it was derived from a single engraved source; and it was the most important collaboration between J.J. Kändler and the young Peter Reinicke who had joined him just a few years before in 1741.
The definitive discussion of this series is still that by H.E. Backer, 'Komodienfiguren in der Sammlung Dr. Ernst Schneider', Keramik Freunde der Schweiz, no. 50, pp. 59-66
A Meissen figure of Mezzetin from the Commedia dell'Arte series made for the Duke of Weissenfels
CIRCA 1745
Details
A Meissen figure of Mezzetin from the Commedia dell'Arte series made for the Duke of Weissenfels
Circa 1745
In black snood, yellow-lined black cape, pink jacket, turquoise breeches and black shoes, standing in dancing pose before a tree-stump on a mound base applied with flowers and foliage (restored through upper part of left arm, restoration to corner of cape, middle fingers on left hand and right thumb, right index finger and left little finger lacking)
5¼in. (13.5cm.) high
Circa 1745
In black snood, yellow-lined black cape, pink jacket, turquoise breeches and black shoes, standing in dancing pose before a tree-stump on a mound base applied with flowers and foliage (restored through upper part of left arm, restoration to corner of cape, middle fingers on left hand and right thumb, right index finger and left little finger lacking)
5¼in. (13.5cm.) high