Bagolin 1745 - 1758

This is a porcelain "Bagolin" figure crafted at the Höchst Manufactory in the mid-to-late 18th century. It depicts a male figure in a harlequin costume playing a stringed instrument. During this period, porcelain figures became highly fashionable among the European elite, reflecting a fascination with theater and commedia dell'arte. Yet, this work exists within a complex intersection of class and identity. The figure is adorned in the stereotypical garb of the harlequin. The harlequin was a figure popularized by the commedia dell'arte and later, the French stage, and served as both entertainment and social commentary. The harlequin's ambiguous racial and class identity allowed audiences to confront social issues through laughter, exposing the absurdities of power. In many ways, this figure serves as a mirror reflecting the social dynamics of 18th-century Europe, from its class structures, and performance. This porcelain Bagolin offers us a glimpse into the cultural landscape that shaped our understanding of identity and representation.