Apollo playing the Harp, with Python: C.3170-1928

Current Location: Gallery 26 (Lower Marlay)

Titles

Apollo playing the Harp, with Python

Maker(s)

Factory: Meissen Porcelain Factory
Modeller: Kändler, Johann Joachim

Entities

Figure group

Description

Hard-paste porcelain, painted in enamels, and gilded

Hard-paste porcelain, press-moulded, painted overglaze in blue (minute amount), green, yellow, pink, red, pale purple, purple, pale and dark brown, and black enamels, and gilded. The flat closed underside is unglazed. The round low mound base is decorated with applied green leaves and eight flowers (yellow, blue, purple and white). At the back it rises up into a rock, and three olive tree stumps: one behind the rock (broken off), and one on either side of it, each having four short branches at the top bearing leaves and black olives (one on each broken off). Apollo sits on the rock with his left leg advanced, holding his lyre in his left hand and playing it with his right. He leans slightly to his left and looks towards his right. He has a laurel wreath over his pale brown hair and as delicately coloured features. His white cloak has a gold edge, and is caught up on the right shoulder with circular brooch with a red cabochon stone. His harp is coloured brown and gold, and a quiver full of arrows with purple flights hangs from a red strap on the tree stump on his right. The dragon, Python, pierced by an arrow, lies on the base on Apollo's right. It is painted in shades of pale yellow and purple with darker purple and black spots and red jaws and tongue.

Notes

History note: Purchased frrom Mr Cubit (?)'s shop, near the station in Ipswich on 7 October 1922 for £6.6s.0d.

Legal notes

Dr J.W.L. Glaisher Bequest

Measurements and weight

Depth: 14.8 cm
Height: 19.5 cm
Width: 16.5 cm

Place(s) associated

Meissen ⪼ Saxony ⪼ Germany

Acquisition and important dates

Method of acquisition: Bequeathed (1928-12-07) by Glaisher, J. W. L., Dr

Dating

18th Century, Mid
Friedrich August III
Circa 1745 - 1750

Note

This model is the 213th listed (but not numbered) in Kaendler’s 'Taxa' (list of models made in overtime with payments between mid 1739 and end of 1746) under 5 March, 1745. Apollo's instrument is described as a harp rather than as a lyre.

People, subjects and objects depicted

Components of the work

Decoration composed of enamel ( blue (minute amount), green, yellow, pink, red, pale purple, purple, pale and dark brown, and black) gold
Visible Surface composed of glaze ( clear)
Base Diameter 14.3 cm
Visible Surfaces

Materials used in production

Hard-paste porcelain

Techniques used in production

Press-moulding : Hard-paste porcelain, press-moulded, assembled, glazed, painted overglaze in blue (minute amount), green, yellow, pink, red, pale purple, purple, pale and dark brown, and black enamels, and gilded. The flat closed underside is unglazed.