Rare Antique 1879–1886 Unger Schneider & Cie Gräfenthal Hand-Painted Porcelain Figurines – Pair

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Description

An exceptionally scarce matching pair of antique German porcelain courting figures, model 11982, attributed to Unger, Schneider & Cie. of … Read more An exceptionally scarce matching pair of antique German porcelain courting figures, model 11982, attributed to Unger, Schneider & Cie. of Gräfenthal, Germany.

The gentleman is depicted as an elegant Rococo musician seated in an elaborate scrollwork chair. Wearing knee breeches, long stockings, a fitted period coat, and gold-accented shoes, he holds a transverse flute to his lips. His crossed-leg pose, carefully modeled fingers, delicately painted face, curled hair, and richly molded chair create a remarkably detailed composition despite the figure’s diminutive size.

His companion is an equally graceful Rococo lady seated in her own ornate chair. She turns attentively toward the musician, resting one hand thoughtfully beneath her chin while the other arm extends across the sculpted chair arm. Her full, flowing skirt, draped fabric, fitted bodice, curled hair, delicate facial features, and elegant pointed shoes are beautifully modeled.

What makes this pair especially remarkable is the exceptional survival of its colored decoration. The glossy ivory-white porcelain is enhanced by luminous pale lime-green enamel, generous metallic-gold embellishment, and finely painted facial details. The gold remains dramatically visible across the gentleman’s breeches, coat details, and shoes and on the lady’s bodice and shoes. The green decoration remains bright and distinctive on both figures.

Among the model 11982 examples reviewed, this pair stands apart for the amount, strength, and visual impact of its surviving color and gilding. Exact examples are difficult to locate, and many known examples retain substantially less decoration or appear almost entirely white. Finding the matching gentleman and lady together with this much vivid color remaining is particularly unusual.

Both figures bear the impressed Gräfenthal G with double-headed arrow, DEP, GERMANY, and model number 11982. This mark and design are associated with the Gräfenthal factory’s late-19th-century period beginning in 1879.

A rare and highly decorative matched pair with exceptional detail, romantic subject matter, and unusually well-preserved period coloring.

Sold together as a pair. See less