After drawings by Marcellus Laroon, comprising: a trinket seller, ‘The Quack Doctor’, ‘The Squire of Alsatia’, a courtesan known as ‘Mrs. Russell’, and a beggar-woman with her children, all on gilt rocaille bases
6 in. (15.1 cm.) high

Acquired from Yvonne Adams, Worcestershire (the Squire of Alsatia and courtesan).

Yvonne Adams, Meissen Figures, 1730-1775: The Kaendler Period, Atglen, 2001, p. 44, nos. 97 (the Squire of Alsatia) and 99 (courtesan).

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Lot Essay

The Cryes of London are a group of 16 figures of street traders, of which eight are male and eight are female. They were almost certainly modeled by J.J. Kändler and/or Peter Reinicke between 1750 and 1755. Unfortunately, the lack of contemporary documentation in the Meissen archives makes a firm attribution to the modeler impossible. However, the variations in size and differences in modeling would suggest that both J.J. Kändler and P. Reinicke were involved in series. The figures are modeled after engravings from the series The Cryes of the City of London Drawne after the Life by Marcellus Laroon II. Laroon was a Dutch painter who was a friend and contemporary of Hogarth.

Several editions of Laroon’s The Cryes were produced from 1687 onwards, with the engravings arranged in pairs alternating between men and women. The Meissen figures from this series were also produced in pairs, although they do not follow Laroon's groupings. It seems likely that they were intended to form a series, due to the presence of incised or impressed numerals on the underside of some of the early models which give an indication of the pairings within the group.

For a detailed discussion of Meissen’s production of these charming character figures and a scientific analysis of their physical and decorative make-up, see V. Sigalas & M. Chilton, All Walks of Life, A Journey with The Alan Shimmerman Collection, Stuttgart, 2022. Similar figures to those in the present lot can be found on p. 242 (Squire of Alsatia and London Courtesan), p. 245 (beggar-woman), p. 247 (Quack Doctor) and p. 258-259 (trinkets).

See also Y. Adams, op. cit., pp. 42-43, nos. 93 and 94 (trinkets); pp. 44-45, nos. 97-100 (Squire and courtesan); pp. 46-47, nos. 104-105 (Quack Doctor) and 108-109 (beggar-woman) for these models and their corresponding drawings by Laroon. Compare also S. Shesgreen, ed., The Criers and Hawkers of London, Engravings and Drawings by Marcellus Laroon, Standford, 1990, pp. 156-157, no. 41 (trinket seller); pp. 174-175, no. 50 (Squire); pp. 176-177, no. 51 (courtesan); and pp. 204-205, no. 65 (Quack doctor).

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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.

With some minor wear to enamels and rubbing to gilt; some firing flaws in the making; typical tiny chips to the applied flowers and foliage; small firing lines and other minor flaws in the making; further details enumerated below.

The trinket seller- Impressed 8. His hat restored and likely parts of it a plaster replacement, now with some additional flakes; restoration to the small item in his right hand and to the tips of the finger holding it; a restored chip to each sleeve cuff; some tiny chips to a few trinkets.

The ‘Quack Doctor’- Impressed 14. The entire figure’s body and most of the monkey have been covered in spray, making it difficult to determine what kind of restoration may have occurred. Some restored chips to the base. No chromium was found in the green enamels during XRF testing.

The ‘Squire of Alsatia’- There is some plaster covering part of the base to make the figure sit more evenly, the plaster obscuring possible impressed marks. Generally good order; restoration to two sides of his hat and its feather, to the tip of his sword, to a few fingers on his left hand, to a small portion of the red ribbon on his walking stick. No chromium was found in the green enamels during XRF testing.

The courtesan- Impressed 10. Restoration to her right arm, to the shawl surrounding and below her arm and to a few spots on her dress; a few tiny chips to ribbons; otherwise in good order. No chromium was found in the green enamels during XRF testing.

The beggarwoman- Restoration to the boy’s hat and right hand, to the mother’s back left ankle/foot; chips to the ribbons her shoes; otherwise in good order. No chromium was found in the green enamels during XRF testing.

Print Report