A rare Meissen figure of Harlequin circa 1760-65

modelled by J.J Kändler, running with his right arm raised in greeting and carrying a black hat in his left hand, wearing a mask with a moustache, eye-brows and warts, his gilt-edged jacket painted with playing cards on fawn and pale brown grounds, his trousers with diamond-shaped pattern in purple, yellow, black, turqoise and white, a slapstick stuck in his belt, his black shoes with gilt buckles, the scroll-egded base picked out in gilt and applied with flowers (fingers of right hand re-stuck, left arm re-stuck, left shoe-tip and hat restored)

Sold in these Rooms, 2^nd December 1981, lot 107

Fingers of right hand re-stuck, left arm re-stuck, left shoe-tip and hat restored, flat chip to underside of base (7mm x 5mm).
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

This figure belongs to a series of Italian Comedy figures modelled by Kändler in 1764. The date for the present figure is confirmed by mould nr. 3023, which was assigned before July 1764.
For another, more common example of this figure, modelled with a beard, see E. Pauls-Eisenbeiss, German Porcelain of the 18th C., vol. I, p. 312f.