Flötenkonzert thumbnail 1
Flötenkonzert thumbnail 2
+2
images
Image of Gallery in South Kensington
On display at V&A South Kensington
Europe 1600-1815, Room 3

Flötenkonzert

Figure Group
ca. 1775 (made)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

The fashionably-dressed musians play a lute, flute and harp respectively, and sit or stand somewhat awkwardly on a grassy mound framed by an elaborate and fanciful rococo garden structure. It would have probably been intended for use in interior decoration. Similarly framed figure groups were also made by the Frankenthal factory.

The porcelain factory at Fulda in Hesse in northern Germany was founded in 1764 by the Prince Bishop Heinrich VIII von Bibra. Like several other northern European porcelain factories, it was set up in the premises of an earlier tin-glazed earthenware works. It was established using the 'arcana' (secret knowledge of porcelain recipes, firing and other processes) by the travelling 'arcanist' Nicholas Paul, who had previously worked at Höchst, Berlin, Fürstenburg, Weesp, and who subsequently moved on to Kassel. The factory was closed following the death of the Bishop in 1789.


Object details

Categories
Object type
Title<i>Flötenkonzert</i>
Materials and techniques
Glazed hard-paste porcelain
Brief description
Figure group in glazed hard-paste porcelain of a concert party, Fulda porcelain factory, ca 1775
Physical description
Figure group in glazed hard-paste porcelain of a concert party. In the middle stands a flute player with music on a table before him. On his right is a seated woman playing the guitar and on his left is another woman. In the foreground is a girl playing with a dog. Rococo base. Arbour at the back.
Dimensions
  • Height: 40.6cm
  • Width: 270mm
  • Depth: 210mm
Marks and inscriptions
Two 'F's crowned (in underglaze blue)
Gallery label
Figure group of a concert party About 1775 A group of fashionably dressed musicians play beneath an elaborate and fanciful arched garden structure. The arch is entirely made up of interlocking ‘C-scrolls’, an ornamental motif that forms the basis of much Rococo decoration. The modeller probably copied the scene from an engraving, creating a light and novel work that would have appealed to fashionable customers. Germany (Hesse) Made at the Fulda pottery and porcelain factory Probably modelled by Johann Georg Schumann Porcelain Purchased with funds from the Captain H.B. Murray Bequest (09/12/2015)
Credit line
Purchased under the bequest of Captain H.B. Murray
Subjects depicted
Summary
The fashionably-dressed musians play a lute, flute and harp respectively, and sit or stand somewhat awkwardly on a grassy mound framed by an elaborate and fanciful rococo garden structure. It would have probably been intended for use in interior decoration. Similarly framed figure groups were also made by the Frankenthal factory.

The porcelain factory at Fulda in Hesse in northern Germany was founded in 1764 by the Prince Bishop Heinrich VIII von Bibra. Like several other northern European porcelain factories, it was set up in the premises of an earlier tin-glazed earthenware works. It was established using the 'arcana' (secret knowledge of porcelain recipes, firing and other processes) by the travelling 'arcanist' Nicholas Paul, who had previously worked at Höchst, Berlin, Fürstenburg, Weesp, and who subsequently moved on to Kassel. The factory was closed following the death of the Bishop in 1789.
Bibliographic reference
For an enamelled version see Staatliche Kunstsammlungen Dresden, Fascination of Fragility, 2010, cat. 320, where the model is attributed to J.G. Schumann and dated to ca. 1775
Collection
Accession number
C.853-1920

About this object record

Explore the Collections contains over a million catalogue records, and over half a million images. It is a working database that includes information compiled over the life of the museum. Some of our records may contain offensive and discriminatory language, or reflect outdated ideas, practice and analysis. We are committed to addressing these issues, and to review and update our records accordingly.

You can write to us to suggest improvements to the record.

Suggest feedback

Record createdJune 24, 2009
Record URL
Download as: JSONIIIF Manifest