Flautist and singer
Figure Group of Flautist and Singer
ca. 1780 (made)
ca. 1780 (made)
| Artist/Maker | |
| Place of origin |
This damaged figure group is said to have been found on the site of Holland House, London, after it was bombed in 1940.
Musicians were a popular subject for porcelain figure groups in 18th century Europe. Such figures were originally intended to be set out on the dessert table, but by the time this one was made they were also widely used in interior decoration, much as they are today. The finest Zurich porcelain figures were modelled by Johann Valentin Sonnenschein between about 1775 and 1779, but this one may have been modelled after he left the factory. The Zurich porcelain factory had been founded in 1763 and contined production until the end of the 19th century.
Musicians were a popular subject for porcelain figure groups in 18th century Europe. Such figures were originally intended to be set out on the dessert table, but by the time this one was made they were also widely used in interior decoration, much as they are today. The finest Zurich porcelain figures were modelled by Johann Valentin Sonnenschein between about 1775 and 1779, but this one may have been modelled after he left the factory. The Zurich porcelain factory had been founded in 1763 and contined production until the end of the 19th century.
Object details
| Categories | |
| Object type | |
| Title | Flautist and singer (generic title) |
| Materials and techniques | Hard-paste porcelain, painted in enamels |
| Brief description | Figure group of a male flautist and a female singer, damaged, made by Zurich porcelain factory, about 1780. |
| Physical description | Porcelain figure group of flautist and singer. To the left is a male flautist, standing upright and wearing an embroidered coat and waistcoat. To the right is a seated female singer holding a book of music in her lap. To the centre and rear is a tree with truncated branches. The base is a round grassy mound (supported by four internal webs). |
| Dimensions |
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| Marks and inscriptions | Z and two dots painted in underglaze blue |
| Credit line | Given by The Hon. Mrs Charlotte Townshend |
| Object history | Said to have been found on the site of Holland House, after it was bombed in 1940. |
| Subjects depicted | |
| Summary | This damaged figure group is said to have been found on the site of Holland House, London, after it was bombed in 1940. Musicians were a popular subject for porcelain figure groups in 18th century Europe. Such figures were originally intended to be set out on the dessert table, but by the time this one was made they were also widely used in interior decoration, much as they are today. The finest Zurich porcelain figures were modelled by Johann Valentin Sonnenschein between about 1775 and 1779, but this one may have been modelled after he left the factory. The Zurich porcelain factory had been founded in 1763 and contined production until the end of the 19th century. |
| Collection | |
| Accession number | C.53-2005 |
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| Record created | December 20, 2005 |
| Record URL |
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