- 125
A rare Meissen figure of Pulcinella, modelled by J.J. Kändler, circa 1742
Estimate
15,000 - 20,000 GBP
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Description
- ceramic
- 16cm, 6 1/4 in high
the hunchbacked figure dancing drunkenly and holding a sausage and a slapstick, wearing a conical hat and a suit of motley and playing cards on a pink ground, traces of blue crossed swords mark (sausage restored)
Provenance
Christie's London, 7-9 July 1997, lot 373
Condition
hand and sausage restored, head re-struck
"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."
"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."
Catalogue Note
Pulcinella, Polichinelle in French and Punch in England, is a Naples valet ("zanni"), rival to Scaramouche. Hunckbacked and ugly with his long hooked nose, he has a volcanic temper, responding more often with his club or his foot rather than with clever words.
The model is not mentioned in Kandler's Taxa but three different versions of the figures are known, see Pauls-Eisenbeiss, 1972, German porcelain, Vol. 1, pp. 310-311. The source for this model is thought to be Louis Jacob's engraving Depart des Comédiens Italiens en 1697, after a lost panting by Jean-Antoine Watteau.