Not on display

Commedia dell'Arte figurine

Figurine
19th century (made)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

This figurine was produced by the Samson factory in Paris which was established in 1845 by Edmé Samson. It represents Polliciniella, a character from the Italian knockabout comedy called the Commedia dell'Arte, or 'artistic comedy'. This was the popular improvised type of comedy which flourished in Italy from the 16th to the 18th centuries and had an impact on theatre throughout Europe, especially France. Commedia plays were acted along pre-arranged scenarios but relied on the performers' ability to improvise and ensured their popularity with a mixture of slipstick comedy, acrobatic leaping and romantic interest. Various visiting Italian troupes performed in France in the 16th century where their type of theatre was called the Comédie-Italienne. By the 17th century, however, their plays were being performed largely in French, and by the 18th century Commedia dell'Arte was a recognised part of the French theatre.

Polliciniella, or Pulchinella, was one of the stock characters of Commedia dell'Arte. He was a peasant or a comic servant, usually dressed in a floppy white tunic, conical hat and black half-mask.

Object details

Categories
Object type
TitleCommedia dell'Arte figurine (generic title)
Materials and techniques
Glazed porcelain
Brief description
Figurine of Polliciniella, or Pulchinella, from the Commedia dell'arte. Hard-paste porcelain by Samson & Company, Paris, 19th century
Physical description
Figurine of Pulchinella, dressed in a black eye-mask, white conical hat, white tunic with long sleeves which conceal his hands, baggy white trousers and black shoes, the hat, tunic and trousers with gilt details. He stands on an integral base, decorated with gilt rococo detailing.
Dimensions
  • Height: 14.7cm
  • Maximum width width: 6.0cm
  • Of base width: 4.0cm
  • Of base height: 2.5cm
  • Of base depth: 5.0cm
Marks and inscriptions
  • Blue star on base with 'S' above (Underglaze on base, indicating 'Samson of Paris')
  • '17' (Indented on base)
Credit line
Harry R. Beard Collection, given by Isobel Beard
Literary referenceCommedia dell'Arte
Summary
This figurine was produced by the Samson factory in Paris which was established in 1845 by Edmé Samson. It represents Polliciniella, a character from the Italian knockabout comedy called the Commedia dell'Arte, or 'artistic comedy'. This was the popular improvised type of comedy which flourished in Italy from the 16th to the 18th centuries and had an impact on theatre throughout Europe, especially France. Commedia plays were acted along pre-arranged scenarios but relied on the performers' ability to improvise and ensured their popularity with a mixture of slipstick comedy, acrobatic leaping and romantic interest. Various visiting Italian troupes performed in France in the 16th century where their type of theatre was called the Comédie-Italienne. By the 17th century, however, their plays were being performed largely in French, and by the 18th century Commedia dell'Arte was a recognised part of the French theatre.

Polliciniella, or Pulchinella, was one of the stock characters of Commedia dell'Arte. He was a peasant or a comic servant, usually dressed in a floppy white tunic, conical hat and black half-mask.
Collection
Accession number
S.888-1981

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Record createdJanuary 12, 2006
Record URL
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