A Meissen porcelain large figure of Saint John Nepomuk, circa 1745

Pietro Accorsi, Turin;

The Alberto Bruni Tedeschi Collection, Sotheby’s, London, 21 March 2007, lot 129A;

Acquired from the above, until sold, Sotheby’s, London, 27 September 2012, lot 30;

Acquired at the above sale.

Kändler’s Taxa, or work record for February 1744 includes; 'Eine Nepomocenus Fügur Von ordinärer größe auf einem Postament stehend Inventiret und aus gestellt, selbigen aber Vollends zur aus arbeitung dem Bildhauer Reinickemn gegeben, hält in der linken Hand den gecreuzigten Christum und ist in gehörigen Habit gekleidet.', [A figure of Nepomocenus of ordinary size standing on a pedestal, inventoried and exhibited, but given over to the sculptor Reinicke for completion, holding the crucified Christ in his left hand and dressed in appropriate habit.]. This model follows an earlier model created in 1731 by J. G. Kirchner, depicting the saint standing on clouds.

John Nepomuk (circa 1340-1393), a Bohemian priest, was executed by King Wenceslaus IV of Bohemia for refusing to reveal his queen’s confessional secrets, and was drowned in the Vltava river. He was blessed in 1719 and canonised ten years later by Pope Benedict XIII. The Habsburg crown princess Maria Josepha was devoted to him and later dedicated the northeastern chapel of the court church to him.