Large Meissen Porcelain Figure, Jeune Maure Au Cheval Blanc, After Kändler

Provenance

Large Meissen porcelain figure of a young Moor driving a white horse, based on a model created by Johann Joachim Kändler circa 1748. The subject belongs to the repertoire of figures known as Fremde Völker, developed in Meissen in the 18th-century taste for exotic costumes, court scenes and animal compositions with a strong decorative presence. This version corresponds to a 20th-century Meissen manufacture execution, bearing the mark with crossed swords in underglaze blue.

Description

The composition features a prancing or trained white horse, treated with great plastic breadth. The animal, with its powerful body and arched neck, wears harness painted in purplish purple, with gold details and ornaments in the mane. The head is slightly turned, the ears erect, the eye carefully painted, giving the whole a contained yet expressive movement.

Side him stands a young Moorish groom in Orientalist costume. He wears a yellow tunic with dark brandebourgs, blue sleeves and pants, a striped turban, a dangling earring and a belt holding a dagger. With his right hand, he holds the horse's reins; with the other, he holds a mauve or salmon-colored drapery, modeled in deep folds. The naturalistic oval Rocaille base is adorned with applied flowers and polychrome foliage. The ensemble combines the elegance of rocaille modeling, the vivacity of polychromy and the decorative richness typical of the great Meissen figures.

Technique and materials

Hard Meissen porcelain, modeled in the round, enameled and hand-painted in polychrome. Details of costume, harness, applied flowers and mane are reproduced with precision. The base bears the crossed swords mark in underglaze blue, as well as incised or stamped numbers related to the model and production.

Dating

Twentieth century, probably mid-twentieth century, after the model by Johann Joachim Kändler created around 1748. This dating is consistent with the historical revival of the model, the Meissen mark, the manufacture numbers below the base and the technical quality of the glazed hard porcelain.

Condition

Good overall visible condition. The enamel retains its shine and the polychromy remains legible. As is often the case on porcelain groups with applied floral decoration, very minor wear, firing irregularities or tiny misses to flowers and foliage may be present. Protective pads are visible under the base.

Use and purpose

Decorative collector's piece, intended for a display case, console, mantelpiece or classic interior. Due to its large format and highly sculptural composition, it can be presented as a stand-alone piece in a collection of German porcelain or Meissen figures.

A decorative collector's piece, destined for a display case, console, mantelpiece or classical interior.

Dimensions

height - 43 cm
width - 38 cm
depth - 16 cm