Harlequin and Columbine 1738 - 1748

This porcelain sculpture, created by the Meissen Manufactory between 1738 and 1748, depicts the iconic commedia dell'arte characters Harlequin and Columbine. Harlequin, dressed in his signature diamond-patterned costume, gestures playfully towards Columbine, who is seated beside him with a fan in hand. This delightful and intricate piece of Meissen porcelain exemplifies the fine artistry and detailed craftsmanship that defined the factory’s early period. The sculpture, now housed in the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York, is a testament to the enduring popularity of commedia dell'arte characters in European art and culture.