Large pair of Meissen porcelain Malabar musician figures

Crafted by Meissen, the renowned German porcelain manufactory, in the late 19th century, the figures depict a pair of charming Malabar musicians. The design of this pair is after models by Friedrich Elias Meyer (German, 1723–1785), one of the most important modellers at Meissen.

The first figure depicts a lady playing the hurdy-gurdy while the second portrays a man playing the guitar. Both figures are dressed similarly. Their heads are covered by a straw hat, a white ribbon peaking from underneath it on the female figure. A maroon-coloured, fur-lined sleeveless jacket covers the pale blue patterned tunic, too with fur detailing. The base garment is richly patterned with polychrome floral motifs. The porcelain is shaped to depict a box tied to the man’s waist and another hanging across the woman’s back. Both are wearing similar clothing coloured blue on the moustached man and pink on the female beauty.

Beside the female is an elegant white plant pot filled with green foliage and additional greenery can also be observed next to the man.

The figures stand on rocaille bases accented with gilt detailing. The brown background surrounding the shapes enhances the look of the ground they are standing on.

On the underside, each figure bears the Meissen crossed swords mark in underglaze blue alongside incised ‘1519’ and ‘1523’ as well as other impressed marks.  

Superbly crafted by the skilled artists at the Meissen manufactory, this pair would make a magnificent addition to one’s collection of porcelain.

Woman: Height 33cm, width 13cm, depth 11cm
Man: Height 32cm, width 20cm, depth 11cm