Set of five Meissen porcelain groups depicting the senses

The present set of five Meissen porcelain gropus are after the celebrated models that J. C. Schönheit created in 1772. Each group depicts a seated lady, dressed in eighteenth century garb and surrounded by her various accoutrements. The action of each lady and the nature of her accoutrements allude to one of the five senses: one plays a spinet (and thus hears sound); another feels the sharp peck of a bird; one lady eats, while another smells fresh flowers; the final lady glances at herself in a mirror.

Each figure is set atop an integral parcel gilt porcelain base. The underside of each features underglaze blue marks and an incised model number (from 70660 to 70664), impressed numerals and date codes, and various painters’ numbers.