Harlequin Bagpipe Player

This is a very early and nice figurine made by Meissen in the mid 18th century. It was designed in 1736 and this is an early version of the piece and really very nicely painted. In German he is called Hanswurst which I do believe translates to Baffoon with his bagpipe sitting on a rock base. Harlequin was one of the Commedia del Arte figurines which are always superb espcially from this period. He was modeled by the famous Kaendler who was one of the best. This figurine has lots going for it - It was painted when it was made (very important!) and not later plus the colors are superb - not too much and not too little and then the hand painted playing cards on his pants finish off a superb figurine! He is in great condition with the bottom of the bagpipe restored and then broken and reglued again as shown, the tip of the bagpipe is restored, a little damage to the white ruffles of his shirt just above the wrist of the left hand which is not obvious nor bad and there was work done to his hat but is was done perfectly and he displays perfectly. Fingers are all still intact which is amazing as is his foot that sticks out. I think one of the flowers on the base is missing but it might be from the making - it is where the single leaf is higher up on the base. The figurine is 5.125 inches tall, 1.875 inches wide and 2.625 inches deep. The piece has the typical flat unglazed underside with the air hole in it and is marked with the under glaze blue crossed swords mark to the back of the base as shown. Please email me for more information or other pictures.