Figural Pipe Bowl

This is a very rare pipe bowl modelled by Franz Anton Bustelli and made by Nymphenburg 1760 while Bustelli was still alive. It is meant to represent a Harlequin disguised as a pilgrim so it is commedia dell'Arte related which makes it that much more special. I could only find two other pieces that sold one was nicely painted and the other white. The face has a happy expression perfect for a commedia piece and he is wearing a broad brim tilted hat with a scallop shell badge to the front. A white ruff covering the neck area. Still made at the Neudeck location before they moved to Nymphenburg. It is marked with the RS1 or RS2 mark as far as I can figure out on the stem of the piece near where the wooden stem would be inserted. It is hand painted nicely but worn due to use and the green and blue paint along the hat edge has flaked which is quite normal on their earliest pieces. The face looks a lot better now that I cleaned it and I'll have to try to remember and take another piece of it. The nose tip and some other spots are more heavy worn but it still looks nice. There are chips to the top opening outside edge, an almost chip to the opening where the stem would be inserted and a large chip to the underside of the ruff but none are obvious when he is being displayed! It was definitely used so the dmage is to be expected on pieces like this and it explains why they are so rare. A really fun piece to own! Please email me for more information or other pictures.