Bidspirit auction | Frankenthal Commedia Dell'Arte Pulcinella Figure

Frankenthal Commedia Dell'Arte Pulcinella Figure - Frankenthal, Germany. Modelled by J.W. Lanz. Porcelain Commedia Dell'Arte figure of Pulcinella, ca. 1755. With an iron-red hat, purple floral puce jacket, black trousers, and iron-red shoes, with a white cape over his right shoulder. Standing on a rocaille-molded base enriched with puce and gilt. Blue shield mark. Provenance: Christie's, London, ”Continental Ceramics, ” October 5, 1987, Lot 137; The Distinguished Collection of Leo & Doris Hodroff. This figure represents a character from the Italian Commedia dell'arte, a type of improvised comic drama or street theater popular in Europe. These types of figurines gained popularity with Meissen figures modelled in the 1730s-1740s by J.J. Kandler as well as Peter Reinicke. Kandler's probable attendance at performances appears in his characteristically expressive facial features and the theatrical vitality of the engaging figures. It is these features that made them highly popular both when they were first released through to the present day. Other porcelain manufacturers soon followed suite producing similar figures from the vast canon of characters present in these productions. Height: 4 1/2 in x width: 2 in x depth: 2 in. Condition: To the tip of the figure's hat, and to the front and back of the left pant leg, there are small losses, which have been painted over. There are a few small chips, particularly along the extreme edges of the white garment. Some wear to the gilt and pigment. Light wear to the underside, including minute chips.