CIRCA 1744, FAINT BLUE CROSSED SWORDS AT THE BACK, MODELLED BY J.J. KÄNDLER AND P. REINEKE

The present figure is from the series of Commedia dell'Arte figures created for the Duke of Weissenfels between 1743 and 1745. This series, the most extensive of the representations of characters from the Commedia in German porcelain, was created by J.J. Kändler and P. Reineke in equal partnership. 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 Ricoboni published in Histoire du Théâtre italien, Paris, 1727.

See H.E. Backer, "Comodienfiguren in der Sammlung Dr. Ernst Schneider", Keramikfreunde der Schweiz, no. 50, pp. 59-62 where he illustrates several of the original prints. Two more recent publications, both tied to exhibitions, discuss in detail the history of the Italian comedy and the influences behind the characterizations in porcelain both at Meissen and at other German porcelain manufactories and illustrated the print sources for these figures: Reinhard Jansen, et al., Commedia Dell'Arte, Fest der Komödianten, 14 July - 14 October 2001, Exhibition catalogue and Meredith Chilten with and essay by Domenico Pietropaolo, Harlequin Unmasked, The George R. Gardiner Museum of Ceramic Art, 2001.