Lot 597
  • 597

A rare Meissen Masonic `Crinoline' group, circa 1745

Estimate
20,000 - 30,000 GBP
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Description

  • Porcelain
  • 25.5cm., 10 in. wide.
modelled by J. J. Kändler, the lady wearing a black dress decorated with indianische-Blumen, a purple bodice and a yellow mob-cap, seated sewing at a table with a pug at her side, her companion leaning over her and blowing a kiss, wearing a lilac frock coat and breeches and an iron-red waistcoat, his hair en-queue and a masonic badge on a blue ribbon around his neck, the oval base applied with flowers and leaves, 

Provenance

Anon. sale, Sotheby's Geneva, 10th May, 1988, lot 42;
With Elfriede Langeloh, Weinheim.

Condition

There is some sympathetic restoration to the figure at extremities; at of the lower back of the chair, his left arm at the shoulder and to her right forearm and hand. With a fine extended firing crack in base. Minor wear to gilding and some typical chips to applied flowers and leaves.
"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

The constitution of the Order of the Pugs was designed in 1740 as a fraternal group for Roman Catholics who had been forbidden to join the Freemasons and practice their rites by Pope Clement XII 's 1738 bull, In Eminenti Apostolatus Specula. The para-Masonic secret society was patronized by the most illustrious persons of Germany and believed to have been founded in Bavaria by the elector of Cologne, Clemens August of Wittelsbach (1700-1761). It was the first masonic order that welcomed women as members on the condition that they were Catholic. Females were admitted to all offices with the exception of the Grand Master, which was held for life. Members of the lodge called themselves ‘Pugs’ and wore, discreetly a silver pug on a medallion. They were required to wear a dog collar, and gained entrance to the lodge by scratching at the door.  As part of the initiation ritual the blindfolded candidates were lead around a symbol-filled carpet nine times while the assembled ‘Pugs’ of the Order barked loudly and yelled ‘Memento mori’, ('Remember you shall die') to test the steadiness of the newcomers. As an expression of total devotion novices kissed the Grand Pug's backside, which in reality was a symbolic porcelain pug. The lap-dog of aristocracy was chosen as a symbol of loyalty, trustworthiness and steadiness. While German sources state that the order was short-lived and outlawed in 1748, they were reportedly active in Lyon as late as 1902.

The model is listed in Kändler's taxa or work records for 1740-48 as '1 Frey Maurer Groupgen, da eine Dame an einem Tische, darauff ein Neh-Küssen befindl. sizet, und ein Schurz Fell einfasst, neben der Dame sizt ein Mopss Hund, ein Frey Mauer aber findet sich zu ihr und will sie Küssen, 18. Thtr.'

An example similarly showing the pug stood on top of the table was in the collection of Maurice de Rothschild, his (anon.) sale, Christie's London, 28th March 1977, lot 57; and another was sold at Sotheby's London, 29th June 182, lot 105.