Sophie von der Goltz
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Lot 124
Figure en porcelaine blanche de Meissen représentant une dame naine, circa 1931-33
A Meissen white figure of a dwarf lady, circa 1931-33
A Meissen white figure of a dwarf lady, circa 1931-33
29 October 2025, 14:00 CET
Paris, Avenue Hoche€700 - €900
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Figure en porcelaine blanche de Meissen représentant une dame naine, circa 1931-33
A Meissen white figure of a dwarf lady, circa 1931-33
A Meissen white figure of a dwarf lady, circa 1931-33
Modelled by Paul Scheurich, wearing a tricorn with cockade and a crinoline dress with a sailing ship in low relief at the front, 19cm high, impressed crossed swords mark with dot between the tips and "Weiss" to rear of base, similar mark impressed to underside of base, crossed swords mark with dot between the tips in underglaze-blue, incised model number A.1232., impressed former's number 136
Footnotes
The engravings of Jacques Callot, particularly from "Il Callotto resuciato oder Neueingerichtes Zwerchen Cabinet" published in Amsterdam in 1716, were an inspiration for some of the earliest figures and scenes made at the Meissen manufactory in the 1720s. Paul Scheurich, a graphic artist himself, thus had a particular fascination for Callot and the translation of his works into porcelain. This and the companion figure are based on plates 21 and 22 of "Il Callotto resuciato...", depicting "Mademoiselle Jolicoeur, danceante avec son Amant l'Opera du Village en Provence" and "Monsr. Gilles Platfues, Maitre de Danse a l'Academie des Lourdeaux" (Johannes Rafael, Paul Scheurich 1883-1945 Porzellane für die Meissener Manufaktur, Meissener Manuskripte, Sonderband VIII, 1995, ills. 38/39.3 and 38/39.4).
Scheurich delivered the models for this and the companion male figure in Autumn 1929 to the manufactory, which purchased them for RM 1,500 and RM 1,200, respectively. Scheurich had intended that the figures be left white, but the manufactory nonetheless sent him two different coloured versions for approval. He didn't completely approve of either and later made some improvements in watercolours to an already painted example. The first (unpainted) lady dwarf was sold in December 1931 and eleven had been sold by the end of 1952.
Another white example from the Prof. J. Rafael collection was sold in these rooms, 14 April 2022, lot 85.
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