Two rare Höchst Commedia dell'arte figures of Harlequin and Columbine circa 1750-53

modelled probably by Johann Christoph Ludwig von Lücke, each standing before a tree stump on a blue-edged waisted square base, Harlequin with his weight shifted on his left leg and his right arm extended, dressed in a colorfully patterned suit and a feathered green hat; Columbine dressed in a black coat trimmed in red, holding the edges of her apron, both incised L I G. 

(Harlequin) Mr. Francis M. Baer, London;
Hugo Helbing Munich, March 12, 1913, lot 51
Collection of Henry and Emma Lazarus Budge (b. 1840 – d. 1928 and b. 1852 - d. 1937), Hamburg, bearing their paper collection label 'H.E.B. Sammlung'
Emma Budge Estate liquidation sale, Paul Graupe Berlin, October 4-6, 1937, lot 853
Collection of Otto Blohm (b. 1870 - d. 1944) and Magdalena Blohm (b. 1879 - d. 1950), Hamburg, Caracas, and New York
Thence by descent
(Columbine) Collection of Otto Blohm (b. 1870 - d. 1944) and Magdalena Blohm (b. 1879 - d. 1950), Hamburg, Caracas, and New York
Thence by descent

(Columbine) Probably, Stoner & Evans, Inc., New York City, Exhibition of the Collection of 18th Century European Porcelains Assembled by the Late Mr. Otto Blohm, opening January 15, 1948, bearing Stoner & Evans, Inc. paper label

(Columbine) Robert Schmidt, Early European Porcelain as Collected by Otto Blohm, pl. 44, no. 156

Harlequin - right arm broken off and restored back on. Slapstick partly restored. Left wrist restored. Blue enamel 'dry' and perhaps slightly misfired. Small patches of enamel flaking to costume. One button on tunic chipped. Columbine - some flaking to enamels on stump. Black enamel matt, possibly some overpainting. Hair crack through right wrist. Both figures have some patches of wear / thinness to the glaze through which the dry body is exposed and which show as 'dirty' grey patches, visible in the photos and more extensive on the Columbine.
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 early Höchst Italian Commedy figures series, to which the present examples belong, is thoroughly discussed by Horst Reber, "The Höchst Figures from the Italian Commedy" in Hugo Morley-Fletcher, Early European Porcelain & Faience as collected by Kiyi and Edward Pflueger, pp. 100-111. Reber examines in detail the possible modellers for this series by comparing their work and timelines, and proposes Johann Christoph Ludwig von Lücke as the most likely candidate. He also believes that these figures with their distinctive high pedestals were most likely commissioned by royal patronage as a diplomatic gift. Similar figures of  Harlequin and Columbine from the Pflueger Collection are illustrated ibid, pp. 117 and 121, respectively. Another figure of Columbine, in the permanent collection of the Residenz Museum in Munich, is illustrated in the exhibition catalogue, Das Höchster Porzellan Auf Der Jahrtausend-Ausstellung in Mainz 1925, pl. 12, cat no. 61.
A similar figure of Harlequin was sold at Sotheby's London, July 1, 1958, lot 168; and another example of Columbine was sold at Sotheby's London, November 19, 1953, lot 150, catalogued as Brigatellin.
The Harlequin figure is being offered for sale pursuant to a settlement agreement with the Estate of Emma Budge.