CIRCA 1755, BLUE CROSSED SWORDS MARK, PRESSNUMMER 36

The Meissen manufactory created two set of Cris de Paris figures, the present figure is one of 34 standing, small-scale figures created for the second series, and was probably modelled by P. Reinicke shortly after 1753. This group became the most extensive series of figures made at the Meissen manufactory.

Both the Cryes of London and Cris de Paris series, include a number of different types of figures such as street traders, musicians, entertainers and elegantly dressed figures, such as the Petit Maître and his female companion, the Coquette. The Petit Maître corresponds to the watercolour, from the first set, that has traditionally (and probably erroneously) been attributed to Christophe Huet, which is inscribed with the factory number 33 and probably also number 36. It is described in the Mould Book as 'Ausrufer Man: Galanthom: mit Deegen u Huth untr: arm 33' ('Crier man: Gentleman: with sword and hat under arm 33') and '33 Edelman mit Degen, Hut unterm Arm' ('33 Nobleman with sword, hat under arm') in the Directory of Moulds.¹ Although there is some uncertainty as to the identity of this elegant figure, the Petit Maître and his female companion, the Coquette, may represent a pimp and his courtesan.

1. See Vanessa Sigalas & Meredith Chilton, All Walks of Life, A Journey with The Alan Shimmerman Collection, Stuttgart, 2022, pp. 640-641, cat. no. 103.