Closter Veilsdorf Harlequin Figure

This is a rare figurine made by Kloster Veilsdorf in about 1765. Kloster-Veilsdorf was the most important Thuringian factory of the 18th century. It was founded in 1760 by Prince von Hildburghausen with the help of the arcanist Meyer. In 1795 the factory went to the Duke of Sachsen Altenburg who sold it to the Greiner family who owned most of the other makers in this region by then. The figurine is one of the rarer and most sought after pieces - a piece from the Commedia dell'arte - a Harlequin hand painted with a superb suit in orange, puce and yellow triangles. He is wearing a black cap and holding his hat in his left hand while holding the other hand up to his right ear. Standing on a typical base with a tree stump in the back painted in light brown colors. The figure is in superb condition with a bit of a rough nose - seems to be a glaze flake but it doesn't show when on display and a small puce stray color mark on the back of the tree stump. Otherwise he is perfect! An amazing piece by a small but important maker! The figurine is marked with a puce crossed swords mark - another example of a maker copying Meissen marks to try to sell their product :) Also incised the letters fn. or something along those lines. Definitely made by Kloster Veilsdorf! The piece is 5.5 inches tall, 2.75 inches wide and 2.625 inches deep. Please e-mail me for more information or photos.