A rare Meissen commedia dell'arte group of Scaramouche and Columbine, circa 1741

modelled by J.J. Kändler, both standing with Scaramouche embracing his companion who holds a bird in a cage, he in a black snood, turquoise jacket enriched in gilding, black breeches and shoes, she in a black and yellow bodice, white and red apron and puce flowered skirt, a tree stump beside with lemons and flowers, on a mound base applied with flowers and leaves,  

There is some typical restoration to the leaves on tree stump and some minor losses to applied flowers on the base. Some minute flakes to black enamel of male figure's cap and breeches.
"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."

Variously catalogued as Scaramouche or Mezzetin and companion, the group is mentioned in Kändler's Taxa or work record for 1740-41, '1 Groupgen von 2. Figuren, bestehend, so einander umarmen, das Frauenzimmer aber halt in der lincken Hand einen Voglgebauer', [one group of figures, standing in an embrace, the women however holds a bird cage in her left hand]. Kändler modelled a second version of the group with a small pug dog at the feet of the figures. An example is illustrated by Meredith Chilton, op. cit., p. 45, no. 18, where the companion's skirt is similarly painted with lambrequin fringe around the hem. The group was also imitated at the Berlin Wegely factory in the early 1750s. 

Examples of the group were included in the well-known collections of Gustav von Gerhardt, Budapest, sold by Rudolph Lepke's Kunst-Auctions-Haus, Berlin, 7th November 1911, no. 81; Emma Budge, Hamburg, sold by Paul Graupe, Berlin, 27th-29th September 1937, no. 798, and Dr. R. Hamburg, Berlin, sold by Hans W. Lange, Berlin, 7th-9th April 1938, no. 739. Of the recorded examples almost all feature a tree branch issuing flowers unlike the present example that sprouts lemons; another example of this rare version was in the collection of Geheimrat W., Dresden, sold by Rudolph Lepke's, Berlin, 24-26th February 1937, lot 579.