A Meissen Figure of a Saddler from the 'Artisan' Series, Circa 1755 | Eine Meissen Figur eines Sattl

modelled by Johann Joachim Kändler, holding a stirrup in his left hand and a horse collar over his right arm, a saddle at his feet, on a rocaille scroll-moulded base heightened in turquoise and purple, one scroll with black enamel French inscription, crossed swords in underglaze-blue to rear of base

Height 8 7/8 in.

22.5 cm.

Literature
Horst Reber, Eine Rheinische Porzellan-Sammlung, Darmstadt, 2006, vol. I, p. 161

Catalogue note
The Artisans were among the largest and most complex of Kändler’s series of figures. It comprised around eighteen figures, mostly men, reflecting the fact that most guilds and craft associations in the 18th century tended to exclude women. The three women of the series are the seamstress, the spinner and the washerwoman. The figures are generally simply coloured, without elaborate patterns to their clothing, to realistically reflect the status of their craft. Similarly, the elaborate rococo scroll bases are usually outlined in enamel colours rather than in gilding. The saddler appears to be among the rarer of the figures in the series. Twelve figures from the series, including a saddler, were in the Collection of Charlotte and Victor von Klemperer, cat. nos. 672-683. Another, from the collections of Hanns and Elisabeth Weinberg and the Antique Company of New York,was sold at Sotheby's New York, on 10-11 November 2006, lot 679 and another was with E & H Manners, London.

Cranfield University used non-invasive X-ray fluorescence (XRF) for this lot to screen the green enamel for chromium, which was not detected, a result consistent with 18th century manufacture.
Additional Notices & Disclaimers

Please note that Condition 12 of the Conditions of Business for Buyers (Online Only) is not applicable to this lot.