Figure
ca.1757 (modelled)
| Artist/Maker | |
| Place of origin |
This figure of a Chinese 'pagod' or idol is the central model of a table decoration group by the great modeller at the Nymphenburg porcelain factory, Franz Anton Bustelli. Sixteen individual chinoiserie figures, including a priest and various children and adult attendants, some playing musical instruments or singing and others bowing down in worship, were designed by Bustelli to be positioned around this central figure, raised up on a tall plinth.
Bustelli's figure illustrates the continuing fascination with China in fashionable society. Oriental figures had been modelled by Kändler at the influential Meissen porcelain factory from about 1740 onwards. However, an interesting fresco in the Chinese pavilion (Pagodenburg) in the grounds of Nymphenburg castle, executed in by Johann Anton Gumpp in 1719, may have given Bustelli the idea for this integrated group. It shows an idol figure seated on a towering pedestal surrounded by worshippers.
Bustelli's figure illustrates the continuing fascination with China in fashionable society. Oriental figures had been modelled by Kändler at the influential Meissen porcelain factory from about 1740 onwards. However, an interesting fresco in the Chinese pavilion (Pagodenburg) in the grounds of Nymphenburg castle, executed in by Johann Anton Gumpp in 1719, may have given Bustelli the idea for this integrated group. It shows an idol figure seated on a towering pedestal surrounded by worshippers.
Object details
| Categories | |
| Object type | |
| Materials and techniques | Hard-paste porcelain, moulded, painted in enamels and gilded |
| Brief description | Hard-paste porcelain figure of an idol or 'pagod', seated on a tall plinth, modelled by Franz Anton Bustelli, ca. 1757, made at the Nymphenburg porcelain factory, Munich, Bavaria |
| Physical description | Chinoiserie figure of a 'pagod' or idol in hard-paste porcelain, modelled seated in an attitude of humility on an orange-red cushion with gilded rims and tassels on top of a tall square section plinth, wearing a striped yellow and lilac waistcoat over a long flowing pink robe with broad sleeves, his head shaven except for a short ponytail and goatee, scattered flowers and a small flaming incense burner set before him on the platform, the overhanging rim supported at the front by a triangular bracket terminating in a ram's head mask, garlands of flowers hanging from gilt loops decorating the plinth, and further strewn flowers at the foot of the plinth. |
| Dimensions |
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| Style | |
| Marks and inscriptions | shield of Bavaria mark (impressed on the plinth, edged with a gilded line) |
| Gallery label | Figure of a ‘Chinese idol’ or ‘pagod’
About 1757
This figure is part of a decorative table-setting for a grand dinner. It would have towered above a group of characters in Chinese-style dress playing musical instruments, dancing and prostrating themselves. The figure may have been inspired by a fresco in a ‘Chinese pavilion’ in the grounds of Nymphenburg Castle. ‘Pagod’ was a European term for a Chinese deity.
Germany (Munich)
Made at the Nymphenburg factory
Modelled by Franz Anton Bustelli
Porcelain painted in enamels and gilded
(09/12/2015) |
| Historical context | From a series of chinoiserie temple figures, modelled between 1758 and 1767. |
| Subjects depicted | |
| Summary | This figure of a Chinese 'pagod' or idol is the central model of a table decoration group by the great modeller at the Nymphenburg porcelain factory, Franz Anton Bustelli. Sixteen individual chinoiserie figures, including a priest and various children and adult attendants, some playing musical instruments or singing and others bowing down in worship, were designed by Bustelli to be positioned around this central figure, raised up on a tall plinth. Bustelli's figure illustrates the continuing fascination with China in fashionable society. Oriental figures had been modelled by Kändler at the influential Meissen porcelain factory from about 1740 onwards. However, an interesting fresco in the Chinese pavilion (Pagodenburg) in the grounds of Nymphenburg castle, executed in by Johann Anton Gumpp in 1719, may have given Bustelli the idea for this integrated group. It shows an idol figure seated on a towering pedestal surrounded by worshippers. |
| Bibliographic references |
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| Collection | |
| Accession number | C.89-1985 |
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| Record created | August 15, 2006 |
| Record URL |
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