The Disturbed Sleeper

The Disturbed Sleeper is one of six larger figure groups created by Bustelli between 1756 and 1760 (Hofmann III, p. 444). In the 1760 mould registry, the group is described as: “1. Grosses Schäffer- oder Pergery-Stuckh, in zwei Figuren, ein Hund” (“1 large shepherd or Pergery piece, in two figures, a dog”).

In the 1767 price list (Hofmann III, p. 711), the entry reads: “Groupe Schläfer schlafend, Schäferin musicierend nebst Hund, mit einer Piramide en-niche” – 7 Zoll.

Comparable examples

• Rüttgers Collection, Hugo Helbing, Munich, 28–29 October 1927, no. 93, pl. VI = Hofmann II, colour pl. XI; Hofmann III, fig. 329
• Rockefeller Collection (Sotheby’s, New York, 11 April 1980, no. 136)
• Exhibition catalogue 2004, no. 199
• Rothschild II Collection (anonymous sale, Christie’s, 17 October 1977, no. 212)
• Hirth Collection (Helbing, Munich, 28 November 1916, nos. 227 and 228)
• Levi Collection (Christie’s, 2–3 July 1956, no. 83)
• Kaumheimer Collection sale (Christie’s, 8 December 2003, no. 60) = Ziffer in Weltkunst 1990, fig. 4

The group is the counterpart to the exceptionally rare model of Musical Shepherd and Shepherdess before an Obelisk, which is also in our possession. Both are exactly matched in decoration, composition, and markings (see following fig.). The identical Dreher’s number “43” confirms that this is the extremely rare case of an original pair that has remained together.

We have not been able to trace another original pair of these two groups.