Figurine “Boy with a Clarinet”

Meissen Porcelain Manufactory. Germany, Meissen. 

The boy is depicted standing barefoot and shown at full length. He has short dark brown hair, brown eyes, dark eyebrows, and rosy cheeks. He wears a white shirt, a white vest decorated with flowers, and a yellow jacket trimmed with a gilt band. His knee-length breeches are green and decorated with red bows at the sides. On his head is a wide-brimmed dark brown hat with a red ribbon and a bow at the back; clusters of grapes are placed on the front of the hat.

The boy is playing a clarinet, which he holds with both hands. His body is slightly inclined to the right, creating a dynamic posture. Behind him stands a small brown barrel with a handle, filled with ripe grapes.

The figure is mounted on a circular white base. The upper part of the base is decorated with two dark-grey bands, while the lower part features raised vegetal elements highlighted in gold.

The base is hollow inside. The reverse bears the manufacturer’s mark in the form of two crossed dark-blue swords.

The composition is asymmetrical, with numerous folds in the clothing and a dynamic pose. The carefully modelled fingers and toes, finely rendered facial features, and detailed treatment of the clothing are characteristic of Meissen porcelain production and demonstrate the high quality of the workmanship.

Provenance: The object was transferred to the museum by the State Customs Control Service in 1996.