Lot Essay
Cf. Rainer Rückert, op. cit., no. 960 for a similar example in the Dr. Ernst Schneider collection, Dusseldorf
MEISSEN COMMEDIA DELL'ARTE FIGURES FROM THE DUKE OF WEISSENFELS SERIES
THIS SERIES OF FIGURES, THE MOST EXTENSIVE OF ALL THE REPRESENTATIONS OF THE ITALIAN COMEDY IN GERMAN PORCELAIN, WAS CREATED BY J.J. KäNDLER AND P. REINICKE IN EQUAL PARTNERSHIP BETWEEN 1743 AND 1745. THERE WOULD NOT APPEAR TO BE A DEFINITE RECORD OF THE EXACT NUMBER OF FIGURES THAT FORMED THE SERIES. THE MAJORITY, HOWEVER, WERE DERIVED FROM JOULLAIN AFTER CALLOT FOR RICCOBONI PUBLISHED IN HISTOIRE DU THéâTRE ITALIEN, PARIS 1727. FOR A DISCUSSION OF THESE SEE H.E. BACKER, COMODIENFIGUREN IN DER SAMMLUNG DR. ERNST SCHNEIDER IN K.F.S., NO. 50, PP. 59-62, WHERE HE ILLUSTRATES SEVERAL OF THE ORIGINAL PRINTS.
A MEISSEN FIGURE OF COLUMBINE holding a mask and castanets, in a black cap with yellow bow, puce bodice and white skirt, the hem with flowers and foliage and yellow shoes, standing on a mound base applied with flowers and foliage (restoration to both arms at shoulders), blue crossed swords mark at back, circa 1744
Details
A MEISSEN FIGURE OF COLUMBINE holding a mask and castanets, in a black cap with yellow bow, puce bodice and white skirt, the hem with flowers and foliage and yellow shoes, standing on a mound base applied with flowers and foliage (restoration to both arms at shoulders), blue crossed swords mark at back, circa 1744
13.5cm. high
13.5cm. high
Provenance
Anon., sale Christie's Geneva, 11 May 1981, lot 108
Literature
Hugo Morley-Fletcher, op. cit., p. 85