Figure
ca. 1745-1750 (made), 1743 (modelled)
| Artist/Maker | |
| Place of origin |
The Ottoman empire was viewed with fear and fascination in Europe at this time. The Habsburg Emperor, Charles VI, had fought a successful campaign against the Turks in 1716-18 and gained territories in Serbia and Hungary. However when in 1736-39 he engaged in another Turkish War with his ally Tzarina Anna Ivanova of Russia, the imperial forces were defeated and all the previous gains were lost.
Turkish style fantasies, known by the French term 'turqueries' were popular throughout the 18th century, although this model is probably based on an engraving of a real Turkish nobleman or officer, rather than an invented Turkish-style subject. The Meissen factory in Germany was the first to make porcelain figures of Turks in the 1740s and several models are recorded by the great Meissen modeller and sculptor, Johann Joachim Kaendler (1706-1776). This model ties in with a work report by Kaendler's assistant Johann Friedrich Eberlein. In May 1743 he listed a 'Turkish Officier mit einem Streit-Kolben' (Turkish officer with a mace), and although the mace is now lacking from this example, it has survived in examples in other collections.
Sets and pairs of porcelain figures of men and women from distant lands were made by Meissen, and other porcelain factories imitating Meissen, and were popular in mid-18th-century Europe. They were used as table decorations during the dessert courses of grand dinners.
Turkish style fantasies, known by the French term 'turqueries' were popular throughout the 18th century, although this model is probably based on an engraving of a real Turkish nobleman or officer, rather than an invented Turkish-style subject. The Meissen factory in Germany was the first to make porcelain figures of Turks in the 1740s and several models are recorded by the great Meissen modeller and sculptor, Johann Joachim Kaendler (1706-1776). This model ties in with a work report by Kaendler's assistant Johann Friedrich Eberlein. In May 1743 he listed a 'Turkish Officier mit einem Streit-Kolben' (Turkish officer with a mace), and although the mace is now lacking from this example, it has survived in examples in other collections.
Sets and pairs of porcelain figures of men and women from distant lands were made by Meissen, and other porcelain factories imitating Meissen, and were popular in mid-18th-century Europe. They were used as table decorations during the dessert courses of grand dinners.
Object details
| Categories | |
| Object type | |
| Materials and techniques | Hard-paste porcelain, painted in enamels and gilt |
| Brief description | Figure of a Turkish officer, hard-paste porcelain painted in enamels and gilt, modelled by J. F. Eberlein, 1743, made by Meissen porcelain factory, Germany, ca. 1745-50 |
| Physical description | Figure of a Turkish officer, of hard-paste porcelain. Standing, left hand on hip (his right hand originally holding a mace against his waist). Painted in enamel colours and gilt, white turban, coat and pants, iron-red undercoat, blue cuffs, yellow boots. |
| Dimensions |
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| Marks and inscriptions | Crossed swords (Factory mark in underglaze blue, back of base) |
| Credit line | Alfred Williams Hearn Bequest |
| Subject depicted | |
| Summary | The Ottoman empire was viewed with fear and fascination in Europe at this time. The Habsburg Emperor, Charles VI, had fought a successful campaign against the Turks in 1716-18 and gained territories in Serbia and Hungary. However when in 1736-39 he engaged in another Turkish War with his ally Tzarina Anna Ivanova of Russia, the imperial forces were defeated and all the previous gains were lost. Turkish style fantasies, known by the French term 'turqueries' were popular throughout the 18th century, although this model is probably based on an engraving of a real Turkish nobleman or officer, rather than an invented Turkish-style subject. The Meissen factory in Germany was the first to make porcelain figures of Turks in the 1740s and several models are recorded by the great Meissen modeller and sculptor, Johann Joachim Kaendler (1706-1776). This model ties in with a work report by Kaendler's assistant Johann Friedrich Eberlein. In May 1743 he listed a 'Turkish Officier mit einem Streit-Kolben' (Turkish officer with a mace), and although the mace is now lacking from this example, it has survived in examples in other collections. Sets and pairs of porcelain figures of men and women from distant lands were made by Meissen, and other porcelain factories imitating Meissen, and were popular in mid-18th-century Europe. They were used as table decorations during the dessert courses of grand dinners. |
| Bibliographic references |
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| Collection | |
| Accession number | C.92-1931 |
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| Record created | June 24, 2009 |
| Record URL |
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