Lot 934 D α

The office of the so-called "Court dwarf" was a staple feature of European royal courts for many centuries. It was not easy for men with dwarfism to find work, and becoming court jester to a local ruler ensured a steady income. It was the court dwarf's job to function as an object of ridicule and amusement for the ruler and his entourage. Throughout the 18th century, the figure of the dwarf was generally depicted in a satirical manner, often exaggerated to a grotesque degree, as demonstrated by etchings such as "Varie Figure Gobbi" by the etcher and engraver Jacques Callot (1592 - 1635) from Lorraine. This porcelain model was possibly based either on Collot's engraving or on the 50-sheet series of copperplate engravings "Calloto resuscitato oder neueingerichtetes Zwerchen Cabinet" published in Augsburg in 1710 by Martin Engelbrecht (cf. Rijksmuseum, inv. no. BI-B-FM-078-48). This series, based on Callot's engravings, comprised of full-figure depictions of male and female dwarfs as ethnic caricatures. The series influenced numerous sculptors and model makers in porcelain manufactories throughout Europe. So far it has not been possible to ascertain the origin of the majority of dwarf figures produced in European manufactories. Meissen produced several series of dwarves in 1725 on differing bases, the majority of which were unmarked. It is also possible that the manufactories based the figures on plaster models from Augsburg that were also used by jewellers and other craftsmen in the 18th century.