A Kloster Veilsdorf Commedia dell'Arte figure of Harlequin circa 1764-65

modelled by Wenzel Neu, the masked figure standing on a circular mound base before a tree stump, his right hand holding a sealed letter and touching his cap, his left hand at his waist holding a straw hat.

There is restoration to his right hand and the envelope he is holding; the overspray extends further to his head. It is possible that the envelope is a made-up replacement; however it is difficult to determine this. Otherwise in good condition.
In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective qualified opinion.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING CONDITION OF A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD "AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF SALE PRINTED IN THE CATALOGUE.

The present example and the two subsequent lots are from a series of ten Commedia dell'arte figures, modelled after the engravings by Johann Balthazar Probst after drawings by Johann Jacob Schübler, published in Augsburg in 1729, as discussed by Meredith Chilton in Harlequin Unmasked, The Commedia Dell'arte and Porcelain Sculpture, p. 289. A similar example from the Gardiner Museum collection is illustrated, ibid., cat. no. 60. Another similar example is in the permanent collection of the Hermitage Museum, accession number 25336, and is illustrated in Roda Slowejcik, Thüringer Porzellan, p. 58, cat. no. 37. Another was in the collection of Kiyi and Edward Pflueger, now in the collection of the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, accession number 2004.217, and is illustrated in Early European Porcelain & Faience as collected by Kiyi and Edward Pflueger, p. 207. An example from the Collection of Otto and Magdalena Blohm was sold at Sotheby's London, April 25, 1961, lot 364.