Tuesday, July 3, 2012

Figure of the Day: The Harlequin Candlestick, 1950

Candlestick, 1850
The Victoria & Albert Museum



Since this Commedia dell’Arte-inspired candlestick, made about 1950, has no maker’s mark, we can’t really tell too much about it. Chances are, it was made in Italy or Germany. The piece is comprised of a figure of Harlequin seated on a wall. I would guess this was one of a pair which made up a garniture which flanked a ceramic clock.

This polyglazed ceramic candlestick depicts Harlequin in a white jacket with peplum and trousers patterned in brown, blue, yellow and black diamond shapes. In the original Italian comedies, Harlequin was shown as a servant in a shabby coat made up of pieces of colorful salvaged fabrics which, over time, developed into the characteristic diamond-patterned coat we know today. This figure also wears a white ruff, a white mask and a black tri-corne hat. He holds a slap-stick in his left hand. Mr. Punch would be proud.



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