Figurine
ca. 1755 (made)
| Artist/Maker | |
| Place of origin |
Object Type
Sets and pairs of porcelain figures of men and women in Turkish dress were popular in mid-18th-century Europe. They were used as table decorations during the dessert courses of grand dinners. To judge from sales records, this one probably represents a theatrical figure in Turkish dress.
Design & Designing
The Meissen factory in Germany was the first to make porcelain figures of Turks. These were copied by the English porcelain factories and some were also made in Staffordshire salt-glazed stoneware. The Chelsea porcelain factory in London copied both this woman and her male companion from Meissen figures modelled by Johann Joachim Kaendler (1706-1776). Kaendler in turn based his figures on an engraving included in M. de Ferriol's Receuil de cent estampes representant different nations du Levant ('Collection of 100 prints representing different nations of the Levant [Near East]'), published in Paris in 1714. The male companion in the V&A is the correct model, but is differently painted and was not the original pair to this piece.
Trading
Pairs of men and women in Turkish dress were included in London auctions of Chelsea porcelain held in 1755 and 1756. Others were offered for sale together with figure groups in theatrical dress. Some groups were described as 'theatrical figures in Turkish dress'.
Sets and pairs of porcelain figures of men and women in Turkish dress were popular in mid-18th-century Europe. They were used as table decorations during the dessert courses of grand dinners. To judge from sales records, this one probably represents a theatrical figure in Turkish dress.
Design & Designing
The Meissen factory in Germany was the first to make porcelain figures of Turks. These were copied by the English porcelain factories and some were also made in Staffordshire salt-glazed stoneware. The Chelsea porcelain factory in London copied both this woman and her male companion from Meissen figures modelled by Johann Joachim Kaendler (1706-1776). Kaendler in turn based his figures on an engraving included in M. de Ferriol's Receuil de cent estampes representant different nations du Levant ('Collection of 100 prints representing different nations of the Levant [Near East]'), published in Paris in 1714. The male companion in the V&A is the correct model, but is differently painted and was not the original pair to this piece.
Trading
Pairs of men and women in Turkish dress were included in London auctions of Chelsea porcelain held in 1755 and 1756. Others were offered for sale together with figure groups in theatrical dress. Some groups were described as 'theatrical figures in Turkish dress'.
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Object details
| Categories | |
| Object type | |
| Materials and techniques | Porcelain, enamelled and gilt |
| Brief description | Figure, Turkish lady (after Meissen), standing by tree stump; C |
| Physical description | Table figurine |
| Dimensions |
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| Gallery label | British Galleries:
Table figurines became widespread in England in the 1750s and were mostly based on prototypes from Meissen in Saxony (now Germany). Horace Walpole wrote in 1753 that displays of sugar plums and other confectionery had 'long given way to harlequins, gondoliers, Turks, Chinese, and sheperdesses of Saxon china'. Many of the Turkish figures were copied from French prints showing 'exotic' peoples and their costumes.(27/03/2003) |
| Credit line | Given by Mrs Nancy Valpy |
| Object history | Probably modelled by Joseph Willems about 1755; copied from a pair of figures made at Meissen, Germany, after models by J.J. Kaendler Made at the Chelsea porcelain factory, London |
| Subject depicted | |
| Summary | Object Type Sets and pairs of porcelain figures of men and women in Turkish dress were popular in mid-18th-century Europe. They were used as table decorations during the dessert courses of grand dinners. To judge from sales records, this one probably represents a theatrical figure in Turkish dress. Design & Designing The Meissen factory in Germany was the first to make porcelain figures of Turks. These were copied by the English porcelain factories and some were also made in Staffordshire salt-glazed stoneware. The Chelsea porcelain factory in London copied both this woman and her male companion from Meissen figures modelled by Johann Joachim Kaendler (1706-1776). Kaendler in turn based his figures on an engraving included in M. de Ferriol's Receuil de cent estampes representant different nations du Levant ('Collection of 100 prints representing different nations of the Levant [Near East]'), published in Paris in 1714. The male companion in the V&A is the correct model, but is differently painted and was not the original pair to this piece. Trading Pairs of men and women in Turkish dress were included in London auctions of Chelsea porcelain held in 1755 and 1756. Others were offered for sale together with figure groups in theatrical dress. Some groups were described as 'theatrical figures in Turkish dress'. |
| Collection | |
| Accession number | C.105-1996 |
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| Record created | March 27, 2003 |
| Record URL |
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