An extensive collection of 20 porcelain figures from the "Monkey Orchestra,"

Orchestra of monkeys, consisting of 20 pieces; based on Rocaille, nineteen characteristic standing or sitting figures of a choir master with a score, guitarists, violinists, a double bassist, a triangle player, a timpani player and a porter, a pianist, flutists, clarinetists, drummers, horn players, bagpipe players, a hurdy-gurdy player, and four female singers. Delicate contours on the fur. Based on copper engravings after Christophe Huet. Polychrome painting with gilded details. Possibly made by Johann Joachim Kändler and Peter Reinicke. Rare 18th-century score design, partially restored/minimal damage. Swords, crossed, blurred in places. Height - 9 cm - 18 cm. An extremely rare and extensive collection of an 18th-century monkey orchestra. Various monkeys from the orchestra are mentioned in the work reports of Johann Joachim Kändler in 1749 and 1766. As early as 1753, Kändler created an ensemble of monkey musicians in bright clothing with artificial expressions, which he reworked together with Peter Reinicke around 1765/1766. Images of animals with human features and behavior were popular, especially due to the great interest in fables in the 18th century, particularly in the so-called "singerie" of French artists, who depicted curious stage scenes of monkeys acting as humans in various situations. Individual figures from the Meissen monkey orchestra of the 18th century are represented in national and international museums, including the Dresden State Art Collections, the Hermitage in St. Petersburg, and the British Museum in London. See Rüdiger, Bayer Catalog. National Museum, p. 192, Sonntag, Meissen Porcelain Monkey Orchestra, p. 29 and following, Rebbig Munich Catalog, Treasury, No. 186 and following, British Museum, London, inv. no. 1923,0314.65.CR - 1923,0314.69.CR. Extensive collection of 20 porcelain figures from the "Monkey Orchestra," created by J.J. Kändler and P. Reinicke. Partially restored/minimal damage. Mark of crossed swords, blurred in places. Meissen. Circa 1750-1770.