14 FIGURINES FROM THE COMMEDIA DELL'ARTE. Meissen. Date: 2nd half 20th century. Maker/Designer: Model J.J. Kaendler. Technique: Porcelain, enriched in colors and gold. Description: Tartaglia, Gnaga, Cortesano, Advokato, Coviello, Pulcinello, Boaro, Brighella, Paliaccio, Ortolana, Dottore, Gondoliere, Harlekin, Pantalone. Measurement: Height 17 - 20,5cm. Mark: Swordsmark, 3 times with grinding mark, 64558/64560-64571/D31. Provenance:Private collection CologneThe characters of the Commedia dell'Arte, which Kaendler interpreted in a lively and perceptive manner, originate from a theatrical form that was performed in Italy as early as the 16th century. Mostly influenced by its two major centers, Venice and Naples, the theatrical form, in which professional theater troupes performed (Commedia dell'Arte loosely translates as 'professional acting'), gained immense popularity in the course of the 17th century. In the 18th century, its popularity reached its international peak and it was cultivated and celebrated in the great cities and important courts of Europe. A performance of the Commedia dell'Arte was always based on only a briefly outlined sequence of scenes. Therefore improvisation and the interaction with the audience, which was entertained with jokes and quick-witted exchanges, were important aspects of the performance. Another distinctive feature was the recurring repertoire of characters. Each character was defined, had an unchangeable name, its very own costume, and maintained certain characteristics, gestures, postures, tricks, and means of verbal expression. If an actor decided on a role, it usually accompanied him throughout his entire career.Its distinctive characters, which have a high recognizability, made the Commedia dell'Arte a popular motif for porcelain manufactories in the 18th century. For example, the gentleman in a tall hat and with a long-nosed mask who is holding a sausage on a fork can only be Pulcinella. The gondolier is holding on to his paddle. Even if Tartaglia's stuttering cannot be depicted in porcelain, he can be easily recognized by his glasses and green-striped costume. 品相报告: Tartaglia: 64570, bossierer no. 158 with year mark for 1985, painter no. 17. H. 18,5cm. Restored glasses. Gnaga: 64563, 1 grinding stroke, bossing no. 194 with year mark for 1986, without painter's no. H.18,5cm. Good condition, gold decoration minimally rubbed. Cortesano: D31, bossing no. 729 with year mark for 1973, indistinct painter's no. 111. h.17,5cm. Restored pipe bowl.Advokato: 64565, bossing no. 216 with year mark for 1988, painter no. 90. H. 18cm. Good condition. Coviello: 64571, bossing no. 208 with year mark for 1992, painter no. 80. h.18cm. Good condition. Pulcinello: 64558, bossing no. 178 with year mark for 1989, painter no. 17, h.19,5cm. Good condition. Boaro: 64566, 1 grinding stroke, bossing no. 148 with year mark for 1986, without painter no. H.18cm. Good condition.Brighella: 64560, 1 grinding stroke, bossing no. 112 with year mark for 1986, without painter's no. H.17cm. Gold decoration minimally rubbed. Minimal overdecorated chip on the stand ring.Paliaccio: 64567, bossing no. 214 with year mark for 1989, painter no. 17. H. 19,5cm. Good condition. Ortolana: 64561, bossing no. 274 with year mark for 1990, painter no. 83. H.17,5cm. Good condition. Dottore: 64568, bossierer no. 117 with year mark for 1989, painter no. 17. h.19cm. Good condition. Gondolier: 64569, bossier no. 258 with year mark for 1990, painter no. 63. H.20,5cm. Paddle restored. Harlequin: 64564, bossierer no. 140 with year mark for 1985, painter no. 27. h.19,5cm. Good condition. Pantalone: 64562, bossierer no. 188 with year mark for 1986, painter no. 7. Good condition.