Footnotes

This model, together with five others by Scheurich, won the Grand Prix at the Paris World Exhibition of 1937, see Johannes Rafael, Paul Scheurich 1883-1945 Porzellane für die Meissener Manufaktur, Meissener Manuskripte, Sonderband VIII, 1995, no.40.

Scheurich modelled the figure in 1929 after spending several weeks in Paris in June and July, where he would have seen the newest fashions. In 1928 womens' dresses started becoming more form-fitting, incorporating asymmetrical hems, swags and ruffles. Scheurich must have been inspired by fashionable women he saw in Paris, modelling the figure in a gauzy dress with deep décolletage and narrow straps, a waterfall of pleats to one side of the skirt and a corsage applied to one shoulder. In her right hand is a large ostrich feather fan, a feature that was very much en vogue at the time. The cover of 'Le Petit Echo de la Mode' from 20 May 1928 shows an illustration that is strikingly similar and could have been the type of thing to inspire him. This style of dress even made its way across the sea and a gown by Chanel was illustrated in the Indianapolis Times on 9 June, 1928 (Noon Edition, p.9), where it was stated: 'A graceful side bow and a shoulder bouquet give charm to a raspberry chiffon evening gown of superb simplicity.'

The manufactory made an advance payment for the model in July 1929 of RM 500, though Scheurich was working on several models and so the figure was delivered to the manufactory in March 1930 and the total price of RM 3,800 was paid in the following months. The first figure in porcelain was produced in Autumn 1930 and the first example sold in Spring 1931. Scheurich originally intended the figure to be produced only in white. According to the records of royalty payments, nine figures were sold by the end of 1944.

Two further examples, one in biscuit porcelain, were in the collection of Prof. J. Rafael, sold in these rooms, 14 April 2022, lots 82 and 83.