Figure

The figure was made at the Meissen porcelain factory near Dresden. It was modelled early in 1747, probably as part of a large table centrepiece. White figures for the dessert table were an innovation at the Meissen porcelain factory of the 1740s, replacing earlier figures made of sugar or wax. They were produced for a relatively short period, as polychrome figures became more popular and large table centrepieces went out of fashion during the late 1750s. White porcelain figures are now extremely rare and it is believed that some were returned to the factory later during the 18th-century to be decorated in colours. It is unclear if our statue was originally made as a white figure which was later decorated or if it was produced later in the century as a polychrome figure.