Closter Veilsdorf Harlequin Figure

This is a rare miniature 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 very rare in this size and I could not find another example of him but did find other from their small theater figures series. Most one finds are from the large theater figures series. Matches the larger version perfectly. The Commedia Dell'Arte figurines are very sought after by collectors and this one here is super cute and well done. He is a Harlequin that is hand painted with a superb suit made up of colorful triangles, wearing a brown cap with a black mask and holding his hat in his left hand while the other hand is holding a letter up to his head. Standing on a typical base with a tree stump in the back painted in brown with green splotches to the base. The figure is in great condition with a restoration to the letter which is common and some wear / scratches to the colors mainly the tree trunk and the tip of the front shoe. Displays perfectly! An amazing piece by a small but important maker! The figurine is marked with just a red 217. underneath as shown. Definitely made by Kloster Veilsdorf! The piece is 3.25 inches tall, 1.5 inches wide and 1.625 inches deep. Please e-mail me for more information or photos.