Harlequin
Candlestick
ca.1950 (made)
ca.1950 (made)
| Artist/Maker | |
| Place of origin |
This candlestick has no maker's mark but is probably Italian or German. Since it is designed to make us look at Harlequin sitting on the wall from the front, it may well have been one of a pair made for mantelpiece decoration, to flank a clock.
Harlequin was a character from the Italian knockabout comedy known as the Commedia dell'Arte which flourished in Europe from the 16th to the 18th centuries. Traditionally the young lover of Columbine, his original shabby patched suit of various fabrics developed into the familiar outfit of multi-coloured diamond shapes. In Italy Arlecchino was a quick-witted but unscrupulous servant; in France he was a pretty simpleton, a languishing lover and a romantic magician; in Germany he was more of a fool but in England he became the quick-witted star of 18th century pantomime. Harlequin's lineage may have been forgotten by the time that this candlestick was created, but he was still known and appreciated for his romantic appearance.
Harlequin was a character from the Italian knockabout comedy known as the Commedia dell'Arte which flourished in Europe from the 16th to the 18th centuries. Traditionally the young lover of Columbine, his original shabby patched suit of various fabrics developed into the familiar outfit of multi-coloured diamond shapes. In Italy Arlecchino was a quick-witted but unscrupulous servant; in France he was a pretty simpleton, a languishing lover and a romantic magician; in Germany he was more of a fool but in England he became the quick-witted star of 18th century pantomime. Harlequin's lineage may have been forgotten by the time that this candlestick was created, but he was still known and appreciated for his romantic appearance.
Object details
| Categories | |
| Object type | |
| Title | Harlequin (generic title) |
| Materials and techniques | Glazed porcelain |
| Brief description | Candlestick in the shape of a Harlequin sitting by a lamp post. Glazed porcelain, probably Continental, 20th century |
| Physical description | Polyglazed ceramic candlestick, the base being a Harlequin sitting on a low wall in front of a lamp-post which acts as the candle holder. The Harlequin is wearing a white jacket and trousers patterned in brown, blue, yellow and black diamond shapes. His jacket is belted, and has a peplum. He wears a white ruff, a white mask and a black tricorne hat and holds a slap-stick in his left hand, his right hand is resting on the wall. |
| Dimensions |
|
| Credit line | Richard Vincent Hughes Bequest |
| Production | Probably made in Germany or Italy. |
| Subject depicted | |
| Summary | This candlestick has no maker's mark but is probably Italian or German. Since it is designed to make us look at Harlequin sitting on the wall from the front, it may well have been one of a pair made for mantelpiece decoration, to flank a clock. Harlequin was a character from the Italian knockabout comedy known as the Commedia dell'Arte which flourished in Europe from the 16th to the 18th centuries. Traditionally the young lover of Columbine, his original shabby patched suit of various fabrics developed into the familiar outfit of multi-coloured diamond shapes. In Italy Arlecchino was a quick-witted but unscrupulous servant; in France he was a pretty simpleton, a languishing lover and a romantic magician; in Germany he was more of a fool but in England he became the quick-witted star of 18th century pantomime. Harlequin's lineage may have been forgotten by the time that this candlestick was created, but he was still known and appreciated for his romantic appearance. |
| Collection | |
| Accession number | S.309-1981 |
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| Record created | February 28, 2006 |
| Record URL |
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