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Harlequin

Modeler Franz Anton Bustelli Swiss
ca. 1760
On view at The Met Fifth Avenue in Gallery 533
In the eighteenth century, porcelain figures depicting characters from the Italian commedia dell'arte were extremely popular. The various characters that comprised a typical Italian comedy troupe were instantly recognizable to the audience because of their costumes, and the details of these costumes were faithfully copied in the porcelain figures. The male figure illustrated here depicts Harlequin, the principal character of the commedia dell'arte, who always wears a suit composed of brightly colored patches. The female figure (see 1974.356.524), Harlequina, is dressed in a complementary costume.

Italian commedia dell'arte figures were produced at all of the major German porcelain factories, but those made at Nymphenburg are among the most accomplished. Around 1760, Franz Anton Bustelli (ca. 1720–1763) modeled sixteen characters from the Italian commedia dell'arte, and these figures justify his reputation as one of the greatest of all eighteenth-century porcelain modelers. The characters are depicted in extremely elegant, slightly exaggerated poses that suggest movements in a dance and yet simultaneously convey some aspect of the character's personality.

Artwork Details

Object Information
  • Title: Harlequin
  • Manufactory: Nymphenburg Porcelain Manufactory (German, 1747–present)
  • Modeler: Franz Anton Bustelli (Swiss, Locarno ca. 1720–1763 Munich)
  • Date: ca. 1760
  • Culture: German, Neudeck-Nymphenburg
  • Medium: Hard-paste porcelain
  • Dimensions: Height: 7 7/8 in. (20 cm)
  • Classification: Ceramics-Porcelain
  • Credit Line: The Lesley and Emma Sheafer Collection, Bequest of Emma A. Sheafer, 1973
  • Object Number: 1974.356.525
  • Curatorial Department: European Sculpture and Decorative Arts

More Artwork

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Harlequina, Franz Anton Bustelli Swiss, Hard-paste porcelain, German, Nymphenburg
Harlequina
Franz Anton Bustelli
Nymphenburg Porcelain Manufactory
ca. 1763
Lucinda, Nymphenburg Porcelain Manufactory German, Hard-paste porcelain decorated in polychrome enamels, gold, German, Neudeck-Nymphenburg
Lucinda
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ca. 1760
Skull and crossbones, Nymphenburg Porcelain Manufactory German, Hard-paste porcelain, wood, mirror glass, metal pins, German, Nymphenburg
Skull and crossbones
Nymphenburg Porcelain Manufactory
Ignaz Günther
ca. 1755–60
Tankard, Nymphenburg Porcelain Manufactory German, Hard-paste porcelain, pewter, German, Nymphenburg
Tankard
Nymphenburg Porcelain Manufactory
Johann Adam Huber
1778
Plate, Nymphenburg Porcelain Manufactory German, Hard-paste porcelain, German, Nymphenburg
Plate
Nymphenburg Porcelain Manufactory
Unidentified
1760–70

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