Pair Of Polychrome Hard-porcelain Figurines – The Shoemaker And The Mender

High-quality German craftsmanship, late 18th–early 19th century

A charming pair of polychrome hard-paste porcelain figures depicting a cobbler and his counterpart, a stocking mender, seated in picturesque half-barrel-shaped stalls, topped by a drapery with a blue-and-white checkered pattern and a delicately modeled bird.

This composition captivates with the exceptional quality of its modeling. The faces, with their highly refined expressions, the delicately sculpted hands, and the richness of detail are all hallmarks of a first-rate workshop. The painting, with its nuanced skin tones and particularly harmonious colors, highlights the full subtlety of the sculpture.

Both figures bear marks beneath the base depicting crossed swords painted in underglaze blue. The set exhibits the characteristics of high-quality Germanic production, in the spirit of the finest Saxon manufactories of the late 18th century.

Beyond its decorative appeal, this pair stands as a remarkable example of European porcelain sculpture, combining elegance, natural poses, and remarkable technical mastery.

Condition: in very fine condition. The only note is a discreet, earlier restoration on the handle of the mender’s basket, which is barely visible.