An antique 18th C. German Meissen hand painted porcelain figural group made for the British Empire market. This model was designed by Johann Joachim Kaendler, in 1747. It is done in the late Rococo style with interesting features. It shows the Triumph of Love but through a subtle and refined concept, it makes a parallel of a romantic theme with a political hint: the apogee of the Colonial British Empire. Several details are unique and conspicuous; i.e. one Cupid has in his hand a cigar, a clear reference to the Caribbean West Indies trade. The pattern in the ladys clothing is named Indian Tree and it was a very popular symbolic one used well into the late Victorian Era, a not subtle allegory of the Indian and East Indies trade. The piece is rare and unique. The hand manufacture is somehow relatively naive, because it is not intended for the high, European upper class but mainly for rich coloners all across the British Empire at its peak moment in the middle of the Eighteen Century. The amount of pieces like this one that has survived is relatively small due to the narrow market it was created as well as the trouble of exporting such pieces transoceanic. Provenance: from a German museum. Johann Joachim Kaendler, from 1706 to 1775, was a German porcelain modeler and sculptor, who was taught by the sculptor Thomae in Dresden, whose baroque influence is especially visible in his animal figures. In 1731 Kaendler was appointed court sculptor by August the Strong, at the same time beginning his work for porcelain manufacturer Meissen, which he directed for many years. His works are among the highlights of early European porcelain.

Dimensions: H 7 1/4 in. W 6 3/4 in. All measurements are approximate.