Dwarf in the uniform of a colonel of hussars 1745 - 1770

Curator: Let's spend some time with this curious porcelain sculpture, "Dwarf in the uniform of a colonel of hussars," produced by the Höchst Manufactory sometime between 1745 and 1770. Editor: He's so captivating! There's an undeniable power radiating from this tiny figure, despite his…unconventional proportions. Is he some kind of symbolic figure? Curator: Precisely. The dwarf, in many cultures, holds a complicated place, often associated with wisdom, magic, and even serving as a symbolic link to the earth. Höchst, like many manufactories of the time, capitalized on this, often creating figures representing allegories and stock characters from the Commedia dell’Arte. The hussar uniform is likely indicative of wealth and power. Editor: I find the Rococo fascination with porcelain quite interesting, its almost obsessive drive to recreate scenes of courtly life, nobility and now...this! It’s essentially refined, upper-class clay molded by laborers and then bought and consumed as symbols of their class status. Curator: Yes, porcelain becomes almost a social performance, embodying wealth, status, and even humour. Here, the image of a dwarf is elevated, dignified through the material itself. I also note the details given to his stance and particularly the detail put on his face. What cultural associations might this work have had at the time? Editor: For the aristocracy, this would certainly act as a source of entertainment or even as something more: social critique perhaps. At that point in history, with the constant threat of war, manufacturing military and aristocratic personas allowed them to consolidate wealth and power and keep production close to home. Curator: That's insightful, I also appreciate how the artist chose to depict the face, so sure of itself and regal despite everything, playing with the stereotype itself. Editor: It certainly shifts your perceptions when you view it from a material and social perspective. Curator: Absolutely. It adds another layer of complexity to this seemingly simple decorative piece. Thanks for shedding light on those aspects. Editor: Thank you! I find it’s amazing what new perspective one gets just from looking closely.