Lot description
Fifteen Meissen porcelain miniature clown musicians, after the models by Peter Strang, late 20th / early 21st century, blue crossed swords marks, incised and embossed P.S. monograms, various painters marks and date codes, comprising: a singer, no. 60650, 7.8cm high; three harmonica players, nos. 60651 and 60665, 9.5cm and 8.5cm high; a violinist, no. 60652, 8cm high; a tuba player, no. 60653, 7cm high; a timpani player, no. 60656, 7.3cm high; a double bassist, no. 60657, 7.2cm high; a guitarist, no. 60658, 6.9cm high; a conductor, no. 60659, 8.4cm high; a flautist, no. 60660, 8cm high; a horn blower, no. 60661, 9cm high; a cellist, no. 60662, 8.5cm high; a pianist, no. 60663, 8cm high; and a piano, no. 60664, 6.3cm high (15) Provenance: Property of Baron Stanley Kalms (1931-2025). Note: This group of miniature Meissen porcelain clown musicians by Peter Strang, an artist at the Meissen factory who became chief modeller from 1993-2001, can be understood as a re-interpretation of the iconic Affenkapelle or 'Monkey Band' modelled by Johann Joachim Kändler and Peter Reinicke. Swapping monkeys for clowns, Strang's playful and expressive models introduce a mid-century interest in abstraction while continuing the tradition of engaging with satire and absurdity.