Hurdy-Gurdy Player for the Monkey Band c. 1765

This charming porcelain figurine, titled "Hurdy-Gurdy Player for the Monkey Band," was crafted by the Meissen Porcelain Manufactory in 1765. The piece depicts a monkey dressed in a pink gown and yellow ribbons, holding a hurdy-gurdy and singing. This humorous portrayal reflects the 18th-century fascination with exotic animals and the "monkey band" theme, a popular motif in European art. This delicate, hand-painted figure showcases the high quality and artistry of the Meissen factory, and is a prime example of the "figurative" genre in porcelain art. It currently resides in the collection of The Art Institute of Chicago.