Harlequin and Columbine

Manufacturer Meissen Porcelain Manufactory (German, founded 1710)

Modeler Johann Joachim Kändler (German, 1706 - 1775)

CultureGerman

OriginMeissen, Dresden, Germany

DateJanuary 1743

MediumHard-paste porcelain with overglaze enamels, gilding

DimensionsOverall: 16 x 17.2 cm (6 5/16 x 6 3/4 in.)

MarkingsNone Model no. 404

DescriptionMeissen Group depicting Harlequin and Columbine modelled by Johann Joachim Kaendler. Harlequin and Columbine sit on a white seat which is wreathed with brightly coloured flowers and green leaves. They face each other, Columbine holding a slap stick in one hand while trying to snatch off Harlequin's long nosed mask with her left hand. Harlequin twists away, his left hand raised in which he holds a sausage and his right hand holds a large brimmed hat, edged in gold and trimmed with blue and yellow feathers which rests on Columbine's knee. Columbine wears a puce skirt edged in gold and decorated with baroque flowers in black and gold. Over her low-cut ruffled blouse is laced a lozenge patterned bodice of iron-red, black, yellow and blue. Her turquoise wrap is draped over her left arm revealing the bright yellow lining. The wrap is edged in gold as is the white fichu round her neck. On her curled brown hair she wears a little white tricorn hat with blue and yellow feathers and a puce bow. Harlequin is brightly dressed in long, red and white striped trousers decorated on the outside of each leg with alternate rosettes of yellow and blue. His black shoes also decorated with yellow rosettes. His gold edged jacket of a lozenge pattern in puce, turquoise, black and cream.

Credit LineGift of George and Helen Gardiner

Object numberG83.1.919

Classifications

European Ceramics

Sub-classification

German Porcelain

Collections

Status

On view