A highly expressive and rare 18th-century German porcelain figure, attributed to the Fürstenberg manufactory, circa 1760. This blanc-de-chine composition portrays a seated street drummer – barefoot, hunched over his torn drum, with a slack ribbon trailing to the side and a small bowl placed beside him, invoking themes of poverty, exhaustion, and public begging. The bent drum mallet, hunched posture, and dishevelled appearance were all deliberately modelled to express hardship and social commentary – a stark contrast to the typical idyllic Rococo figurines of the period.
While unmarked, the figure closely corresponds with Fürstenberg''s genre sculptures of the 1750s–1760s, known for their emotional depth and influence from Cris de Paris prints and German theatre. The quality of modelling, the expressive white glaze, and technical finesse strongly support the Fürstenberg attribution.
The Fürstenberg manufactory was established in 1747 by Duke Carl I of Brunswick-Wolfenbüttel and is
... the second-oldest porcelain factory in Germany after Meissen. Its early production was notable for elegant Rococo works, often made for princely collectors. This figure likely belonged to a rare series of street musicians or allegorical types meant for display.
Dimensions: Height 34 cm, Width 18 cm, Depth 10.5 cm, Weight 1609 g.
Condition: chipped ribbon beneath feet, firing crack on mallet, chip and hairline at base corner. Otherwise excellent condition for its age.
Please study the accompanying photographs carefully as they form an integral part of this description. If you have any questions, we will be happy to answer them. The item will be shipped with full tracking and insurance. It is important to note that shipping costs include labour, packaging and postage.
Antique ID Number (AIDN): SA1142961
Dateline of this antique is 18th Century
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