Meissen Mythological Group Thalia with Tree by J.J. Kaendler, Germany, 1900s

Very rare Meissen group: Thalia, the muse of theater and comic poetry, covered only with a large cloth, smiling and sitting on a rock under a cherry tree, holding a mask next to her face in her left hand, a paintbrush in her right, other comic masks scattered on the ground, a monkey crouching at her side, holding a small open casket aloft, behind her a putto with a pointed hat climbing up the tree and looking at her. The group is based on flat oval meadow base, covered with plastic flowers and leaves. Thalia is one of the nine muses in Greek mythology. She is the muse of comic poetry and entertainment. Later, Thalia was generally considered the protector of all theatrical venues. Her signs with which she is represented or described are the comic mask, and often the ivy wreath and the crook of the shepherd. Designer: JOHANN JOACHIM KÄNDLER (1706 - 1775) chief sculptor at the Meissen manufactory from 1742 to 1775. He is the most famous modeller Meissen manufactory ever had and created famous series such as Shepherd Figurines, Comedian's Children, Gardener Children (with Acier), Paris Town Criers (with Reinicke and Meyer), Gallant Figurines, etc. Model 625 was created in the year 1744. Manufactory: Meissen Germany Dating: made ca. 1900 Material: white porcelain, glossy finish Technique: handmade and finest hand painting Size: height: 27.5 cm / 10.82 in width: 19.0 cm / 7.48 in depth: 14.0 cm / 5.51 in Marks: underglaze blue Meissen sword mark circa 1900 first quality model number 625 former's number 124 painter's number 66 Bibliography: Thomas & Sabine Bergmann, Meissen Figures, Model Numbers 1 - 3000, Erlangen (Germany) 2017, catalogue number 2233 on page 555. Condition: very good.