Harlequin Family Figurine by J.J. Kardler for Meissen, 1870

Very rare Commedia dell'Arte figure group from the 19th century: Harlequin and Columbine with child dancing in a circle: Harlequin in green jacket with golden buttons and white ruff and colorful diamond trousers, on his head a feathered hat, putting his right hand around Columbine's waist, she dressed in long yellow skirt with white patterned apron, white blouse, over it a blue-black bodice and on her tied-up hair a matching small hat, giving the beat with castanets in her left hand, on her right arm carrying a child in diamond costume and yellow hat. On flat, irregular natural base, covered with plastically formed flowers and leaves. Harlequin, from the Italian arlecchino, is one of the servant figures from the Commedia dell'arte of the Renaissance. Colombina is also a person from the lower social class. Most often she plays the role of the maid or cook. She lacks any upper-class contrived element and is a fun-loving and confident character. with her dominant and seductive nature, she often attracts admirers (e.g. Brighella), against whom she knows how to defend herself. The Colombina character has no mask and usually wears simple women's clothing. Court festivals in the baroque and rococo periods were representative total works of art. They lasted days, weeks, or months. Masked ball, opera, hunt, fireworks and illumination were part of the varied amusement of the court - as was the Commedia dell'Arte, originally a form of Italian folk theater based on masks and figures with defined characters. Out of fascination for those types of actors, Johann Joachim Kaendler took up the Commedia dell'Arte thematically at the beginning of the 1770s and created the figures for the first time in Meissen porcelain. Their theatrical gestures and postures, expressive facial expressions and colorful costumes with tight-fitting trousers corresponded above all to Kaendler's interest in moving figures. As was customary at the time, among others Copper engravings by Jean-Antoine Watteau, Jacques Callot and influences of the emerging classicism as his models. Designer: JOHANN JOACHIM KÄNDLER (1706 - 1775) chief sculptor at the Meissen manufactory from 1742 to 1775. He is the most famous modeller Meissen manufactory ever had and created famous series such as Shepherd Figurines, Comedian's Children, Gardener Children (with Acier), Paris Town Criers (with Reinicke and Meyer) , Gallant Figurines, etc. Model 115 x was created in the year 1738. Manufactory: Meissen Germany Dating: made circa 1870 Material: white porcelain, glossy finish Technique: handmade and finest hand painting Size: height: 18.5 cm / 7.28 in width: 11.0 cm / 4.33 in depth: 10.0 cm / 3.93 in Marks: Blue Meissen crossed sword mark pommels on hilts first quality model number 115 x former's number 125 former's number 38