Figure, Monkey Band

Dateca. 1756

Artist/Maker Chelsea Porcelain Manufactory (1745-1769)

MediumSoft-paste porcelain

DimensionsH: 5 3/16in. (13.2cm); W: 2 7/8in. (7.3cm)

Credit LineMuseum Purchase

Object number1952-618

DescriptionMolded, soft-paste porcelain figure of a female monkey seated on a cross-leg stool with her legs crossed and a music book on her lap. Her head is thrown back and her mouth is open. Her head, arms, and feet are painted with short brown lines to simulate hair. She wears a white cap with a purple bow on top and under the chin; a pale yellow open robe with scaque back and scalloped collar and a purple under robe with blue flowers on the bodice. The figure sits on a Rococo style base with scrolls highlighted with gilding and applied leaves and flowers.

Label TextThe nine figures of musicians and singers that belong to the Chelsea monkey band all have Meissen prototypes. This figure depicts a female monkey singing from a music book.

The monkey band figures poke fun at French aristocracy in a similar fashion to the macaroni prints of the 18th century. The origins date back to France in the early 18th century and come from singeries – monkeys imitating humans – that were painted by Claude III Audran in interiors for Louis XIV at the Chateau de Marly in 1709. This trend persisted and there are numerous depictions of monkeys in French drawings and prints that were making fun of French aristocratic society. In the 1750s the German Meissen porcelain manufactory created the first set of porcelain figures of the Monkey Band. It was again a satirical representation of French aristocrats. Madame de Pompadour ordered a set of the figures from the Meissen manufactory in 1753 for display at the Palace of Versailles because she loved the whimsical depictions. As English porcelain so often did, the Chelsea porcelain manufactory copied the German figures. The Chelsea monkey band in Colonial Williamsburg's collection is a rare survival and one of the only complete sets in a public collection.
InscribedNone
MarkingsAnchor painted red on base behind figure.
ProvenanceEx Coll: Humphrey W. Cook, Richmond, Surrey, and London (Sold: Christie, Manson, & Wood, LTD, CATALOGUE OF OLD ENGLISH FURNITURE AND PORCELAIN (May 16, 1945) lot 21) ; Sir Edward and Lady Baron, London,(purchasing agent for them: Frank Partridge & Son, Ltd., London)
Purchased from: Frank Partridge & Sons, Ltd.

Exhibition(s)