Figure thumbnail 1

Figure

ca. 1767 (made)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

Figure of Diana of hard-paste porcelain. A flat square base gilded round the upper edges across the right leg, the knee projecting, the foot resting on a rock. The body is slightly twisted to the left, with the left hand outstretched holding a letter and the right hand holding a bow down the left side of the body, at the same time plucking the skirt up to the thigh, exposing the left leg. The head is turned to the left. Diana wears a small gilt crescent in her hair, a pale blue scarf draped over her naked shoulder, a puce bodice and iron-red skirt and puce Roman sandals reaching above the ankles and exposing the toes. A quiver is slung from the right shoulder. The borders of the bodice and skirt are edged with gold.

Object details

Categories
Object type
Materials and techniques
Hard-paste porcelain, painted in enamels and gilt
Brief description
Figure of Diana, hard-paste porcelain painted in enamels and gilt, Nymphenburg porcelain factory, Germany, ca. 1767
Physical description
Figure of Diana of hard-paste porcelain. A flat square base gilded round the upper edges across the right leg, the knee projecting, the foot resting on a rock. The body is slightly twisted to the left, with the left hand outstretched holding a letter and the right hand holding a bow down the left side of the body, at the same time plucking the skirt up to the thigh, exposing the left leg. The head is turned to the left. Diana wears a small gilt crescent in her hair, a pale blue scarf draped over her naked shoulder, a puce bodice and iron-red skirt and puce Roman sandals reaching above the ankles and exposing the toes. A quiver is slung from the right shoulder. The borders of the bodice and skirt are edged with gold.
Marks and inscriptions
The shield with diamonds, from the arms of Bavaria (Impressed on the front of the base)
Object history
Sold at Sotheby's on 21st January 1958, Lot 50. The model is illustrated by F.H. Hofmann, Geschichte der Porzellan. Manufaktur Nymphenburg, Vol. I. Leipzig 1921, p. 147 Abb. 139. Hofmann, op. cit. Vol. III, 1923, pp. 508, 509 seeks to attribute the model to Ignaz Günther, who in 1769 was paid fl. 29, presumably for models made for the Nymphenburg factory. The square base suggests a much earlier date and can be compared with the bases of the Virgin and St. John made by Bustelli in 1756 (Hofmann Vol. II. Taf 13; Vol. III, p. 431). The slender form and uncertainty of pose would be consistent with Bustelli's work at an immature stage.
Subject depicted
Collection
Accession number
C.4-1958

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Record createdJune 24, 2009
Record URL
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