Antique Meissen Style Porcelain Monkey Band Clarinetist — Helena Wolfsohn Dresden, c.1880

Antique Meissen Style Porcelain Monkey Band Clarinetist — Helena Wolfsohn Dresden, c.1880

An exceptionally vibrant, authentic late 19th-century German hard-paste porcelain figurine, beautifully hand-painted and decorated by the renowned Helena Wolfsohn studio in Dresden in the iconic style of the Meissen Affenkapelle.

The composition features a beautifully executed, anthropomorphic monkey musician dressed in colourful 18th-century period attire. The figure is depicted mid-performance, elegantly costumed in a pale yellow jacket, a delicately patterned waistcoat, patterned breeches, and a classic powdered wig.

The figure stands atop an intricately sculpted, rococo-style mound base adorned with gilded scrollwork and delicate hand-painted ground detailing, perfectly capturing the whimsical elegance and satirical charm of classic European porcelain artistry.

Originally inspired by Johann Joachim Kaendler's historic 1753 models for the Meissen Manufactory, this piece showcases the exquisite balance of fine detail, brilliant overglaze colouration, and elaborate modelling that makes 19th-century German porcelain highly coveted by collectors around the world.

Maker's Marks & Stampings

The base of the figurine carries historic maker's markings applied directly to the porcelain underside:

• Factory Stamp: Underglaze blue cursive, interlocking "AR" (Augustus Rex) pseudo-mark, used specifically by the Helena Wolfsohn studio between circa 1870 and 1883.
• Production Number: Incised or painted numerical marking "157" located on the inner rim of the base, identifying the corresponding artisan or design series.

Specifications

• Material: Hand-painted fine hard-paste porcelain
• Model Style: Meissen Affenkapelle (Monkey Band Clarinetist)
• Origin: Dresden, Germany
• Era: Circa 1880 (Production period 1870–1883)
• Height: 13cm (5.1")
• Total Weight: 161.40g

Condition

Good antique display condition with wear entirely consistent with its age and delicate production history. We describe condition honestly so you know exactly what you are buying:

• Paint & Gilding: Displays exceptional colour retention and vibrant overglaze detailing — the soft yellow, pink, and purple hues along with the elegant gilt accents remain bright, crisp, and visually striking.
• Repairs: No restoration or professional repairs of any kind — 100% original structural porcelain throughout.
• Structure: The main body, head, limbs, and delicate base scrollwork are completely sound and free from cracks or hairlines. On close inspection, the porcelain instrument has sustained a historic, clean break and naturally terminates approximately 3mm below the lower hand. This is an incredibly common area of wear for this specific series and does not distract from the front presentation when displayed.

Please inspect all photographs closely to verify condition details — the item pictured is the exact piece you will receive.

What's Included

• Antique Helena Wolfsohn Monkey Band Clarinetist Figurine
• Protective double-box and bubble-wrap packaging

Shipping

Sent via Royal Mail Tracked — fully tracked, insured, and signature required on delivery.