Bidspirit auction | Meissen Il Dottore Commedia Dell'Arte

Meissen Il Dottore Commedia Dell'Arte ca. 1742 - Meissen, Germany. Modelled by J.J. Kandler. Porcelain Commedia Dell'Arte figure of Il Dottore (or Dottor Baloardo/Balanzone), ca. 1742. Modelled wearing a broad-brimmed black hat over a green cap, with a yellow-lined puce cloak, iron red coat, and blue breeches. Provenance: Christie's, London, ”Continental Ceramics, ” October 5, 1987, Lot 158; The Distinguished Collection of Leo & Doris Hodroff. This figure represents a character from the Italian Commedia dell'arte, a type of improvised comic drama or street theater popular in Europe. The figurines in this series were primarily modelled in the 1730s-1740s by Kandler as well as Peter Reinicke. Kandler's probable attendance at performances appears in his characteristically expressive facial features and the theatrical vitality of the engaging figures. It is these features that made them highly popular both when they were first released through to the present day. Il Dottore, most commonly known in Italian as Dottor Balan or Balanzone is one of the main canon of characters since the mid-16th century. He often serves as an obstacle to young lovers, is a foil of Pantalone, and is depicted as a decadent erudite. Height: 7 1/2 in x width: 3 1/2 in x depth: 3 in. Condition: There is extensive inpainting along the figure's cloak, particularly to the right and central areas along the verso. There is a repaired hairline crack along the right side of the base in front of the figure's left shoe. There are additional hairline cracks along the figure's right shoulder, extending from the upper armpit to the uppermost part of the back, and along the left fingers. There are signs of restoration to the right side of the base, to the figure's right hand, particularly the sleeve cuff and fingers, to the left hand, and to the portion of the cloak touching the left side of the figure's stomach. It is possible that, at some point, a break occured along the figure's right arm and corresponding areas of the cloak, extending to the verso of the cloak, in addition to the front of the cloak clutched in the figure's left hand, extending through the base. There are scattered areas of inpainting along the hat. There are a few small chips along the extreme edges of the clothing.