Fine Porcelain and Pottery - 23rd February 2016
Lot 66
A rare theatrical creamware figure of Mezzetin from the Commedia dell'Arte c.1780
Estimate £800 - £1,200
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Description
A rare theatrical creamware figure of Mezzetin from the Commedia dell'Arte c.1780, standing with his right arm outstretched and holding the edge of his cloak, wearing a blue tunic and Elizabethan style ruff and breeches, coloured in blue, green and manganese, 11.3cm.
This figure appears to derive from Peter Reinicke's model at Meissen, which in turn took its inspiration from Francois Joullain's print 'Habit de Mezzetin'. A similar salt-glazed figure is in the Glaisher collection at the Fitzwilliam Museum. Mezzetin is a stock character in the Italian comedy, his name translating to 'Half Measure', and with a variable nature.