Figure group of St John Nepomuk with angels, hard-paste porcelain painted in enamels and gilded, modelled by J. G. Kirchner, 1731, made by Meissen porcelain factory, Germany, ca. 1731.

Figure group of St John Nepomuk with angels, of hard-paste porcelain painted with enamels and gilded. Kneeling on a cloud on which also rests a circle of five stars, and adoring the Cross held by one of four putto angels. No base, the bottom pierced for attachment to a separate porcelain pedestal. Chiefly black and gold, with brown hair and flesh tones sketchily applied and pale in tone.

Formerly in the collection of Palladie Foundation (sold, Sotheby, 27 June 1961, lot 105, repr.)

In October 1731 drawings for "Altären" were sent by the King to the manufactory, as a result of which Kirchner made a St. Nepomuk "so nebst Postament 1 elle lang ist". Kirchner had difficulties, modelling the Nepomuk no less than five times; nonetheless two examples were successfully fired in November; three examples ready for firing in December (Sponsel, p. 52). Deliveries to the Dresden depot for the new Elector 7 March 1733 included: "1 Johannes nepomucenus-Figur mit beschlaganem Postamente und 1 Crucifix dabey". (Berling, K. Festive Publication, Dresden, 1911, p. 13; Zimmermann, E. Kirchner, 1929, pp. 14-15, 30)

Attribution from the manuscript catalogue dates from about 1970 and was compiled by William Hutton of the Toledo Museum of Art, Ohio.

C.37-1961