Hofnarr Fröhlich
Meissen 1740, blue crossed swords mark on unglazed bottom; model by Johann J. Kaendler, his braces inscribed in gilding ’J.F.’ and ‘1740’, 25 cm high
Provenance: Collection Robert G. Vater
The court jester Fröhlich is among the earliest small-scale porcelain figures produced by Meissen. Thanks to the extensive studies conducted by Rainer Rückert, it is also one of the best-documented Meissen porcelains. The original model dates back to 1732/33 and was based on an engraving by Christian Friedrich Boetius from 1729 (Rückert 1998, fig. 55). In terms of posture, attire, and overall appearance—apart from the lack of portrait resemblance—it depicts the court entertainer Joseph Fröhlich, as he is known from Meissen.
Comparable pieces: See Langeloh 2019, No. 58, p. 346 ff.