Now that kitsch is back in style, these small, refined objects are increasingly in demand.
€18,600
Pair of standing figures of armored Mars and Minerva, c. 1750-1755, porcelain, h. 43 cm and 41.5 cm/16.92 x 16.33 in.
Saint-Cloud, February 9, 2014. Le Floc’h auction house. Mr. Froissart
they may look old-fashioned, but that is precisely why people like them. Major decorative arts companies now mass-produce Meissen porcelain figurines. An emotional, nostalgic appeal, a reinterpretation of bourgeois codes by contemporary culture and, sometimes, a touch of humor are winning over young collectors. Meissen’s leading figure was Johann Joachim Kändler (1706-1775), who raised porcelain to the level of great art and made it the 18th century’s favorite material for small sculptures—it was much more flexible than wood, ivory or bronze. He had an unmatched skill for making animals look alive by giving them their characteristic movement with a specialist’s precision.
€47,500
Danish pedigree dog with two puppies sitting on a gilt bronze cushion, c. 1745, porcelain, 22 x 23 cm/8.66 x 9.05 in.
Paris, Drouot, November 14, 2014. Daguerre auction house, Thierry Desbenoit & Associés auction house.
€10,625
Johann Joachim Kändler (1706-1775), “Von Brühl’s tailor” dressed as a gentleman and riding a goat, 19th century, porcelain, 43.5 x 40 cm/17.12 x 15.90 in.
Paris, Drouot, March 19, 2014. Caudron auction house. Mr. Vandermeersch
€2,625
Peter Reinicke (1715-1768), standing drummer, 18th century, porcelain, h. 14 cm/5.51 in.
Drouot, April 27, 2016. Paris, Beaussant Lefèvre auction house. Mr. Vandermeersch
€15,800
Pair of pugs sitting on oval bases, collars with gold backgrounds, c. 1745, porcelain, 15 x 15 cm/5.90 x 5.90 in.
Paris, Drouot, November 23, 2016. Coutau-Bégarie auction house.
€7,498
Two parrots perched on leafy tree trunks, c. 1750-1760, porcelain, h. 14.5 cm/5.70 in.
Drouot, March 16, 2017. Paris, Baron Ribeyre & Associés auction house. Mr. Froissart
€44,000
Johann Joachim Kändler (1706-1775), pair of squirrel-shaped teapots, with hazelnuts forming the spout, 18th century, porcelain, h. 13.7 cm/5.39 in.
Paris, Drouot, December 19, 2012. Boisgirard-Antonini auction house. Mr. Vandermeersch
€22,860
Johann Joachim Kändler (1706-1775), lion, lioness and cub sitting on oval bases, c. 1745, porcelain, 14 x 16 cm/5.51 x 6.29 in.
Paris, Drouot, June 11, 2014. Piasa auction house. Mr. Froissart