1786 - 19 figures and a music director with a music stand from the Monkey Band—Johann Joachim Kaendler

19 figures and a music director with a music stand from the Monkey Band—Johann Joachim Kaendler State Porcelain Manufactory, Meissen, 1973–1981. Porcelain, white, glazed. Polychrome and gold painted. Blue sword mark under the glaze. First-grade quality. Engraved model nos. 60001–60022 (excluding 60018). – Lit.: Bergmann, Meissen Figurines, Series Animals, Vol. III, pp. 17–24. Monkeys as Musicians, on a rounded rocaille base. Music Director (1981, model no. 60001, modeler’s no. 111 and year mark B, painter’s no. 34, height 18 cm). Double Bass Player (1974, model no. 60002, engraver’s no. 101 and year mark, painter’s no. 22, height 12 cm). Timpanist (1975, model no. 60003, engraver’s no. 108 and year mark, gilder’s no. 20, height 14 cm). Clarinetist (1977, Model No. 60004, engraver’s No. 133 and year mark, height 13.5 cm). Trumpeter (1977, Model No. 60005, engraver’s No. 128 and year mark, painter’s No. 81, height 13.5 cm). Violinist (1974, model no. 60006, engraver’s no. 127 and year mark, painter’s no. 14, height 14 cm). Singer (1974, model no. 60007, engraver’s no. 145 and year mark, height 12.5 cm). Bagpiper (1976, model no. 60008, engraver’s no. 88 and year mark, painter’s no. 12, height 14.5 cm). French horn player (1975, model no. 60009, engraver’s no. 540 and year mark, painter’s no. 28, height 15 cm). Singer (1977, model no. 60010, engraver’s no. 86 and year mark, painter’s no. 20, height 12.5 cm). Flutist (1975, model no. 60011, engraver’s no. 129 and year mark, height 13.5 cm). Monkey with drumsticks (1976, model no. 60012, engraver’s no. 119 and year mark, height 14 cm). Triangle player (1975, model no. 60013, engraver’s no. 99 and year mark, painter’s no. 1, height 13.5 cm). Singer (1977, model no. 60014, engraver’s no. 138 and year mark, painter’s no. 13, H. 12.5 cm). Drummer (1973, Model No. 60015, modeler’s No. and year mark, gilder’s No. 1, H. 15.5 cm). Monkey with a hurdy-gurdy (1974, model no. 60016, engraver’s no. 127 and year mark, height 14.5 cm). Guitarist (1974, model no. 60017, sculptor’s no. 117 and year mark, painter’s mark, H. 14.5 cm). Bassoonist (1977, model no. 60019, sculptor’s no. 86 and year mark, painter’s no. 7, H. 14.5 cm). Music director on horseback (1977, model no. 60020, engraver’s no. 119 and year mark, painter’s no. 15, H. 13 cm). Harpist (1978, model no. 60021, engraver’s no. 140 and year mark, painter’s no. 13, height 12 cm). Music stand (1979, Model No. 60022, engraver’s No. 153 and year mark, painter’s No. 17, H. 9.5 cm). Designed by Johann Joachim Kaendler (1706–1775) around 1753–1765 in collaboration with Peter Reinicke. The Monkey Band, consisting of 21 figures and a music stand, is one of the most popular examples of Meissen Baroque. The depiction of monkeys—“les singeries,” which parody human behavior—was a particularly popular subject in France. Drawings by the French “singerie” painter Christophe Huet (1694–1759) served as the model for the Meissen ensemble. — Condition: Music Director: Crack in the base. Bass Violinist: Bow restored and damaged. Clarinetist heavily damaged: Flute, left hand, tail, and base are loose and included separately. Violinist: Violin neck glued, bow glued and damaged: end piece attached loosely. French horn player: French horn restored. Drummer: both legs restored; tail and braid restored, with ends attached loosely. Monkey with hurdy-gurdy: hurdy-gurdy slightly dented. Bassoonist: bassoon minimally restored.