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Figurine

1914 (modelled)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

This is one of five figures modelled by Paul Scheurich on characters in the ballet Le Carnaval originally created for a charity performance by Serge Diaghilev's Ballets Russes in St Petersburg in February 1910, choreographed by Mikhail Fokine, with music by Robert Schumann. It was staged in Berlin as a one-act ballet at the Theatre des Westerns on 21 May 1910 with new sets and costumes by Bakst, and repeated on the Company's visits to the city in 1912 and 1914. Le Carnaval became the best-loved Ballets Russes ballet in Berlin, resulting in its choice for recreation by Meissen.

Paul Scheurich was born in New York and emigrated to Berlin in 1900 where he studied at the Academy of Fine Art from 1900-1902. He developed a career as a graphic designer, book illustrator and poster designer and was also a skilled sculptor. He worked for several German porcelain factories but appears to have begun working with Meissen in 1913, for whom he sculpted 87 figures over 20 years. These figures were modelled in 1914 but may not have gone into production until 1915.


Object details

Categories
Object type
Materials and techniques
Brief description
Figurine of the characters Harlequin and Columbine in the ballet Le Carnaval choreographed by Mikhail Fokine with music by Robert Schumann and designs by Léon Bakst, created in 1910 for Serge Diaghilev's Ballets Russes. Figure modelled by Paul Scheurich (1883-1945) for Meissen, 1914. Porcelain.
Physical description
Porcelain figurine of the lovers Columbine and Harlequin standing on a white base, Columbine on pointe, in front of a column with Harlequin by her side. She is wearing a close-fitting cap, a dress with a flowered top and tiered skirt. Harlequin is wearing a diamond-patterned costume and is embracing Columbine as they appear to be about to kiss.
Dimensions
  • Height: 28.0cm
  • Maximum width, heel of left foot to edge of base width: 22.0cm
  • Of base width: 15.0cm
Copy number
D287
Credit line
Purchased with assistance from the Friends of the Victoria and Albert Museum and the London Archives of the Dance
Production
The figures based on characters in Le Carnaval were modelled in 1914 but may not have gone into production until 1915. They have 'D' numbers on their bases, showing they were made before 1923/1924 when a new marking system was introduced.
Subjects depicted
Summary
This is one of five figures modelled by Paul Scheurich on characters in the ballet Le Carnaval originally created for a charity performance by Serge Diaghilev's Ballets Russes in St Petersburg in February 1910, choreographed by Mikhail Fokine, with music by Robert Schumann. It was staged in Berlin as a one-act ballet at the Theatre des Westerns on 21 May 1910 with new sets and costumes by Bakst, and repeated on the Company's visits to the city in 1912 and 1914. Le Carnaval became the best-loved Ballets Russes ballet in Berlin, resulting in its choice for recreation by Meissen.

Paul Scheurich was born in New York and emigrated to Berlin in 1900 where he studied at the Academy of Fine Art from 1900-1902. He developed a career as a graphic designer, book illustrator and poster designer and was also a skilled sculptor. He worked for several German porcelain factories but appears to have begun working with Meissen in 1913, for whom he sculpted 87 figures over 20 years. These figures were modelled in 1914 but may not have gone into production until 1915.
Associated objects
Other number
12 - Manufacturer's number
Collection
Accession number
S.708-2009

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Record createdJanuary 26, 2009
Record URL
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