Pair of Vintage Hand-Painted Porcelain Singerie Monkey Musician Figurines

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A wonderfully whimsical pair of vintage hand-painted porcelain monkey musician figurines, created in the grand European tradition of singerie decorative … Read more A wonderfully whimsical pair of vintage hand-painted porcelain monkey musician figurines, created in the grand European tradition of singerie decorative arts.

Rich in personality, color and extraordinary decorative detail, the pair depicts two elegantly dressed monkeys performing as musicians: one playing a gilded trumpet and the other a black flute. Each figure is dressed in fanciful 18th-century-inspired costume rendered in a sophisticated palette of celadon green, pale yellow, blush pink, lavender and blue.

The musicians stand atop beautifully modeled Rococo-style bases embellished with raised scrolling decoration and hand-applied gilt accents. Particularly charming are the expressive faces, individually articulated fingers and toes, intricately painted fur, elaborate costumes and richly decorated musical instruments.

The tradition of depicting monkeys engaged in fashionable human activities is known as “singerie,” from the French word for monkey. The decorative genre became particularly fashionable in Europe during the 18th century and was famously interpreted in porcelain through elaborate monkey orchestras and musical figures.

This delightful pair follows in that celebrated European decorative tradition, combining the playful character of singerie with the exuberant ornamentation associated with Rococo porcelain.

Unmarked, the exact maker and country of origin remain unknown.

Beautifully scaled and exceptionally decorative, the figures make a striking statement displayed together on a console, mantel, bookshelf, library table or within a collection of European porcelain and decorative objects.

Their unusual pastel coloration gives the pair a particularly fresh and contemporary quality, allowing them to work beautifully in both traditional and modern interiors.

A charming addition to a maximalist interior, grandmillennial collection, traditional library or eclectic contemporary home.

Sold as a pair.

Wear consistent with age and use.

Dimensions:
13.5" Tall
5.75" Wide
4.5" Deep See less