Harlequin with Bird and Cat 1743

Johann Friedrich Eberlein's "Harlequin with Bird and Cat" (1743) is a charming porcelain figurine depicting a costumed harlequin seated on a rock with a bird in one hand and a cat at his feet. The harlequin's colorful, multi-patterned costume and the realistic details of the bird and cat make this a delightful example of Rococo decorative art. The piece, now housed in the Metropolitan Museum of Art, showcases Eberlein's talent for capturing the playful spirit of the commedia dell'arte character and the beauty of the porcelain medium.