Modelled after the originals by P. Reinicke, comprising: a grape-seller, orange and lemon-seller, a fish-seller, an oyster-seller, a woman with a marmot and two waiters, each standing before a tree stump on a gilt base
5⁵⁄₈ in. (14.5 cm.) high, the tallest

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Lot Essay

The Meissen manufactory created two set of Cris de Paris figures, the first, a group of seven male figures, was probably modelled by P. Reinicke, between 1744 and 1747. The second series consisted of 34 standing figures, from which the present models originate, and these are very slightly smaller in scale than the first series. Created after 1753, the second series was also probably modelled by P. Reinicke. It became the most extensive series of figures made at the Meissen manufactory. The designs for this later series of Cris de Paris figures were taken from a series of watercolour drawings which were commissioned by the French art dealer Jean-Claude Huet (d. 1755), a merchant and dealer of Meissen porcelain in Paris. Three sets of watercolour drawings of these designs (which are now partly complete) exist in the Meissen archives and one set is inscribed with the date 1753, suggesting that this may have been the date that the drawings arrived at the manufactory. It is assumed that the porcelain models were produced very shortly after this. The first set of drawings are inscribed with a ‘CH number’ and some are inscribed with factory numbers and further instructions for the factory’s painters and modellers. Traditionally, the watercolour drawings have been attributed to the French painter Christophe Huet (1700-1759), due to the presence of the CH monogram.¹However, Vanessa Sigalas & Meredith Chilton suggest that the watercolour drawings ‘do not resemble the oeuvre of Christophe Hüet… a well-known animal painter’ and that the CH in all likelihood refers to Jean-Claude Huet, the dealer, who probably commissioned a local artist to produce them. See Vanessa Sigalas & Meredith Chilton, All Walks of Life, A Journey with The Alan Shimmerman Collection, Stuttgart, 2022, pp. 264-271.

1. See T.H. Clarke, ‘The French Touch At Meissen, Christophe Huet’s Watercolour Drawings for the Cris de Paris, 1753’, The International Antiques Dealers Show, Handbook, October 1990, pp. 28-33.

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Condition report

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The condition of lots can vary widely and the nature of the lots sold means that they are unlikely to be in a perfect condition. Lots are sold in the condition they are in at the time of sale.

The Grape Seller: with pressnummer 10. Some light rubbing to the enamels, clear lacquer applied to the hat of the figure, with a hairline crack to crouch of the trouser. Chipping, losses and restoration to applied leaves and flowers.
The Orange and Lemon-Seller: with pressnummer 19, in overall good condition. Clear lacquer applied to the right arm and the cloth of the fruit basket completely restored and sprayed, restoration to the handle of the bucket, firing crack to verso of apron.
The Fish-Seller: with some light rubbing and discoloration to the enamels as seen on the figure's neck scarf. Clear lacquer applied to the apron, with one side restored, the front of her apron and one fishtail and head restored. The front hem of the skirt with applied with clear lacquer concealing some chipping. The base and her shoes also with clear lacquer suggesting a restored break.
The Oyster-Seller: with pressnummer 12, incised 153, in overall good condition. Light wear to enamels and gilding.
A Woman with Rodent: with pressnummer 13, incised 152, in overall good condition. Light wear to enamels and gilding.
A Waiter: with pressnummer 4. Small discolouration mark to front of the figure's apron, clear lacquer applied to the tray, back and cuffs of the figure's shirt, presumably broken through and restored. The right upper arm and upper shoulder with restored breaks finished with clear lacquer. Chipping, losses and restoration to applied leaves and flowers.
A Waiter holding a Bottle: with an incised number 15, in overall good condition. Light marking to the head and some restoration to the black hair ribbon. Clear lacquer applied to the head, ribbon and bottles on tray.

Print Report