•D2457. Four Polychrome Figures of Musicians

Marked for Johannes van Duijn, owner of the Porceleyne Schotel (The Porcelain Dish) factory from 1764 to 1772 or his widow Van Duijn-Van Kampen, the owner of the factory from 1772 to 1773.

All four musicians standing on a similar polychrome tapering base with flower branches in relief, against a manganese pillar, wearing dark blue shoes, holding their yellow-manganese instrument, and feature the same red and manganese facial details, both male musicians wearing a dark manganese hat with a yellow, red striped feather upon their manganese hair, the left male musician holds a violin and wears a floral-patterned long coat with yellow piping over his blue pants and white shirt with subtle blue details, the woman on his right plays the lute, her hair covered with a manganese and yellow scarf, draped around her shoulders, atop her blue and white jacket, she wears a green and yellow skirt with a white and manganese detailed apron, the woman to her right holds a viola da gamba in front of a similar skirt partly covered with a white, blue detailed apron, her jacket is covered with blue and red floral sprigs and dots, party covered by her blue scarf with yellow interior, both women accompanied by a dog on their left side, the most right male plays a flute, he wears a yellow trousers and white shirt with blue stripe details under a long jacket with red and yellow floral decorations spread evenly.

PROVENANCE
Collection Aronson Antiquairs, 1982;
Collection Earl D. Vanderkar, 1984;
Collection G. Lefebvre Antiquaire, Paris;
French Private Collection, Paris, 2023 (Provenance+)

LITERATURE
Handbook 34e Oude Kunst- en Antiekbeurs, Delft 1982, p. 63
Two of set on cover of Collectors Guide, June 1984

EXHIBITED
De Antiquairs International Art Fair, formerly known as Antiqua (1978-1982) and precursor to TEFAF Maastricht (from 1986), Valkenburg 1982; The International Ceramics Fair and Seminar, London, June 1984

NOTE
Around 1770, the Classical period in Western music was at its height, defined by clarity, simplicity, and emotional expression. Composers like Joseph Haydn, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, and Ludwig van Beethoven were central figures during this transformative era.

In the visual arts, including Delftware figures, depictions of musicians were extant, offering a glimpse into the cultural significance of music. These artistic representations reflected the societal appreciation for musical themes.

The general musical landscape in 1770 witnessed a shift towards structural clarity. Orchestras expanded for a more powerful sound, and traditional elements like the continuo (accompanying part used in Baroque music, which provides a bassline for the other parts and adds harmony) saw a decline, emphasizing a cleaner and more straightforward musical form.

The period embraced a delicate balance between tradition and innovation. In both music and art, the emphasis was on portraying the emotional depth and cultural resonance of music in society.

The Classical period showcased a thriving musical scene, reflected not only in the works of iconic composers but also in the artistic representations of musicians in mediums like Delftware figures. This era marked a significant evolution in the Western classical music landscape, laying the groundwork for future musical developments.

SIMILAR EXAMPLES
No other group of four musicians is documented, but similar sets of two are sold at Frederik Muller & Cie, Amsterdam, December 11-13, 1928 and later illustrated in D.F. Lunsing Scheurleer, Delft, Niederländische Fayence, München, 1984 with the same flute playing male and lute playing female on p. 320, both marked for Van Duijn, owner of De Porceleyne Schotel (The Porcelain Dish) factory from 1764 to 1772 or his widow Van Duijn-Van Kampen, the owner of the factory from 1772 to 1773; and a pair of a man with violin and lady with viola da gamba was sold at Frederik Muller & Cie. April 17-25, 1956, from the collection L.P. Voûte, Baarn, to Staal Antiquair, Rotterdam and further to a private collection, Amsterdam; and a pair sold at Christie’s Amsterdam, December 12, 1995 in The Lavino Collection illustrated on p. 172, a similar violin playing male and lute playing female, marked Van Duijn, owner of ‘De Porceleyne Schotel’.

It is known that the model has been made at another factory in Delft as well, illustrated by a similar size AP marked for Anthonij Pennis, owner of the De Twee Scheepjes (The Two Little Ships) factory model of a female musician ex Aronson Collection, inv. no. 1563.