A Meissen commedia dell'arte group of Pantalone and Columbine, circa 1738

Anonymous, sale Galerie Hugo Helbing, Munich, 26th May 1911, lot 2, illustrated pl. 1.

This popular and early commedia dell'arte group is based on a model of 1736 but was re-modelled on two occasions due to the moulds becoming unusable.  The earliest models show Columbine holding a rose or a mirror to Pantalone and omit the flowing cape and flowers applied to the base of the present example.  The later models convey a greater intimacy between the characters. The various versions of this group are discussed by Den Blaauwen, A. L., Meissen Porcelain: In the Rijksmuseum,  Amsterdam, 1999, cat. no. 316 where the author lists all the known examples of the three versions of the model. Several references to the remodeling of the group are made in Kaendler's Arbeitsberichte, often citing the deterioration of the mould.  See the entry dated August 1738, Pietsch, U., Die Arbeitsberichte des Meissener Porzellanmodelleurs Johann Joachim Kaendler 1706-1775, Leipzig, 2002, p.56, "Dem Pantaleon Nebst seinem bey sich habenden Frauen Zimmer Verneuert und solches Groppgen zum abformen aufs Neue tüchtig gemacht, Weiln Vorige Forme Nach öfftern gebrauch Wandelbar Worden. Darzu ist noch ein Verziertes Taberettgen worauf ein Hündgen gelegt, und neben die Figür gesetzt werden kann, gefertigt worden" (Pantaleon renewed with his female companion and the group made ready for moulding again, because the old mould became worn after being used too often. In addition, an embellished table on which a small dog lies, which can be placed next to the figure).  An entry from July 1741 records "Cropgen der Pantaleon Vorstellend nebst seinem bey sich habenden Frauen Zimmer Völlig erneuert solches aufs Sauberste auspoussiret und aufs neue brauchbar gemacht Weiln die Forme Vorhero gänzl. Ruiniret und unbrauchbar worden" (Group of Pantaleon next to his female companion completely renewed, remodelled and made useable, the form was ruined and unusable). The remodelling appears to have been completed in August of that year "Das neue Cropgen, den Pantaleon genannt, zerschnitten, und solches Modell zum abformen tüchtig gemacht und befördert" (The new group, called Pantaleon, taken apart, and made ready for remoulding and passed on). See also Arbeitsberichte 2002, p.80ff.  The three models are most clearly demonstrated in Munger, J., European Porcelain in the Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, 2018, no. 22, pp. 83-85 where the author discusses the evolution of this group and illustrated a similar example to the present group from the Untermyer Collection, fig. 32.  A version of this model was also produced in Vienna during the Du Paquier period, see the example from the Blohm and Linsky colletions, see O'Niell, J.P. (ed.), The Jack and Belle Linsky Collection in the Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, 1984no. 195, p. 271 and the colour plate opposite p. 265.