One of a grouping of Meissen figures based on the Italian Commedia dell’Arte, this figure of Harlequin in hard-paste porcelain is painted in enamels and gilded. The crouching comedic figure wears a green hat with a blue rosette. He seems to be recoiling in fear or disgust against a stump. His moustachio'd face, dotted with black patches, registers revulsion.
The figure was made circa 1740 for Meissen by Johann Joachim Kändler (1706-1775). It is marked, “DOUANES PARIS EXPOSITION.” Kändler produced a wide range of figures for Meissen which were intended as table decorations to accompany the dessert course of a lavish meal. Many of these figural groups were based on characters from the Italian Opera and Commedia dell-Arte, many of whom would later become the stock characters of Britain’s Punch and Judy shows.
4 comments:
These are so wonderful! I just finished reading Agatha Christie's first published short story "The Affair at the Victory Ball" from 1923. The plot of the story centered on a group of people in costumes that were based on a set of six china figures representing the Commedia dell' Arte. The group was dressed as Harlequin, Columbine, Pierrot, Pierrette, and, of course, Punchinello and Pulcinella. How neat to see an actual figure that may be similar to those that inspired Agatha Christie!
I recall that story. Thanks for making the parallel.
I remember reading the short story too and then later seeing David Suchet as Hercule Poirot on PBS Mystery in the teleplay.
Seeing these figurines brought both the short story an the the teleplay vividly back.
Ms. Christie had a "thing" for the characters of the Commedia dell'Arte. She did a series of short stories based on a character called Mr.Harley Quinn.
Oh, yes, that was an excellent production!
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