A Meissen porcelain figure of a dancing Harlequin
From the series of commedia dell'arte figures made for Duke Johann Adolf II of Saxony-Weißenfels. Unglazed base with blue crossed swords mark to the back of the sockle. Restored. H 15 cm.
Model by Johann Joachim Kaendler and Peter Reinicke, April 1744, made shortly after.
This figure appears in Kaendler's workshop records in an entry on April 1744 which reads, “A harlequin, also belonging to the Italian comedy, amended and cut, ready to be moulded.” (from the German, Pietsch, Leipzig 2002, p. 102). The man who commissioned this series of commedia dell'arte figures was Duke Johann Adolf II of Saxony-Weißenfels (1685 - 1745), whom Kaendler refers to as "Ihro Durchl. dem Hertzog Von Weißen Fels".
The francophile Prince decided upon a military career early in life. His relative King August II of Saxony called him to Saxon-Polish military duty in 1711. Following August II's death in 1733, Duke Johann helped his successor King August III gain the Polish crown through his victory over Stanislaus Leszczynski I in 1736. The porcelain groups were commissioned and made by Meissen during the period between the first and second Silesian wars, in both of which the Duke played a significant role. The groups are a masterpiece of the manufactory's sculptural prowess, as they were able to create three-dimensional figures following or based on engravings. Much of this success was down to the skill of the model makers, in this case Peter Reinicke and Johann Joachim Kaendler.