Figure, Monkey Band

Dateca. 1756

Artist/Maker Chelsea Porcelain Manufactory (1745-1769)

MediumSoft-paste porcelain

DimensionsH: 6in. (15.2cm); W: 2 1/4in. (5.7cm)

Credit LineMuseum Purchase

Object number1952-619

DescriptionMolded, soft-paste porcelain figure of a male monkey standing on his hind legs, holding to his mouth with his left hand a gilt hunting horn. His right hand is on his waist. His head, heads, legs, and tail are painted with short brown lines to simulate hair. He wears a black tricorn hat with a green bow and a gilt rim; a turquoise jacket and purple waistcoat highlighted with gilt buttons; yellow breeches with green bows at the knees. He is supported by a stump that extends from 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 is playing a hunting horn.

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 front of stump near left foot. (Godden 868)
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.

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