Harlequin w/Pug Dog Hurdy Gurdy

This is a superb harlequin figure made by Meissen in the 20th century. These commedia dell'arte figures are always a joy to look at. Just makes you happy on a lousy day :) I do believe he was first designed by Kändler around 1740 and is of the Harlequin holding a pug dog under his arm as if pretending it to be a Hurdy Gurdy instrument. The pug is not very happy and appears to be growling due to his tail being played with. The figure is superbly hand painted with a colorful lozenge patterned design to his shirt, a wide white collar, a oddly shaped yellow hat with a red feather like piece sticking out and brown pants with purple bows on the sides. The base has a few nice flowers with their leaves applied to it and has the tree stump coming out of the back that the figure is sitting on. All in all an amazing piece that is superbly modeled and just speaks to you! The figurine is in perfect condition which always helps. It is just over 6.75 inches tall, 4 inches wide and 3.125 inches deep. The figure is marked with the under glaze blue crossed swords mark underneath (first choice off course), a blue line as well as the usual impressed numbers of the period and a red 26 as the painter's number. Please email me for more information or other pictures.