A Meissen group of Pantalone and an actress, modelled by J.J Kändler, circa 1738

she seated with her mask under her right arm in a white tricorn hat and red cap, red-lined turqoise cloak and a skirt with indianishe Blumen, stroking Pantalone's beard, he in grey-lined yellow cloak, blue waistcoat incised with scrolls and black breeches, trace of blue crossed sword mark

Christie's London, 1 March 1993, lot 229
With The Antique Porcelain Company

firing crack through the base and along her dress on three stump, painted with green leaves, the tip of her foot and a very few leaves restored on base.
"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."

The group was based on an engraving by Christoph Weigel, Troupe of Italian Comedians, 1723. The woman can be identified as an actress and is most likely an inamorata playfullly flirting with the elderly Pantalone.

This group was modelled as a second version of an earlier one as recorded by Kändler in 1738 "Dem Pantaleon Nebst seinem bey sich habenden Frauen Zimmer Verneuert und solches Groppgen zum abformen aufs Neue tüchtig gemacht, Weiln Vorige Forme Nach öfftern gebrauch Wandelbar Worden. Darzu ist noch ein Verziertes Taberettgen worauf ein Hündgen gelegt, und neben die Figür gesetzt werden kann, gefertigt worden [Pantaleon renewed along with his female companion and the group made ready for moulding again, because the old mould became worn after frequent use. In addition, an embellished table was modelled on which lies a small dog, which can be placed next to the figure]. A third version, again due to deterioration of the old model, was made in July 1741 as Kändler reported: " Cropgen der Pantaleon Vorstellend nebst seinem bey sich habenden Frauen Zimmer Völlig erneuert solches aufs Sauberste auspoussiret und aufs neue brauchbar gemacht Weiln die Forme Vorhero gänzl. Ruiniret und unbrauchbar worden [Group of Pantaleon next to his female companion completely renewed, remodelled and made useable anew, because the form was completely ruined and unusable], completed in August of the same year :"Das neue Cropgen, den Pantaleon genannt, zerschnitten, und solches Modell zum abformen tüchtig gemacht und befördert. [The new group, called Pantaleon, taken apart, and made the model suitable for remoulding and passed on].

The differences between the three models are essentially in the model of the actress: in the earliest version, she does not wear any cloak (see Bonham's 7 December 2011, lot 69) and is holding a mirror or a rose, while she is wearing one in the second version, as well as bows to her bodice and corkscrew curls. The third version follows the popular Dresden fashion of the time : the distinctive wrapped bodice that opens assymetrically and diagonally accross the corset - see Chilton, 2001, op. cit., p. 76 and Den Blaauwen, Meissen porcelain in the Rijskmuseum, 2000, fig. 316.