MANUFACTURE: Nymphenburg (GERMANY), Hard-paste porcelain. Glazed

SCULPTOR: After Franz Antonio Bustelli (1723-1763)

SERIES: Commedia dell'Arte

NUMBER: 12

CONDITION: Excellent. No chips, no cracks. the tip of the left index figure of the man is missing, otherwise, no issue

HEIGHT: 8 1/2 inch / 21 cm

WIDTH: 4 1/2 inch / 11 cm

Inscriptions and Marks: sockel, back of figure: impressed [shield] [mark of Nymphenburg Manufactory),Nymphenburg impressed shield mark

The employment of the young sculptor Franz Anton Bustelli in November of 1754 proved to be a streak of luck for the manufactory. Until his death in 1763, this exceptional artist created over 150 figures for table decoration. His incomparably charming and graceful figures are full of fantasy and tell stories of unfulfilled romance, describe the lives and professions of simple people and escort one to far off destinations and heavenly sps.

The sixteen ladies and gentlemen of the group Commedia dell'Arte (Italian Comedy), which he lent exciting and humorous relationships as well as risque' liaisons, are considered one of the most important works of the German Rococo and are world re-known for the Nymphenburg manufactory.