Bolognese hounds are a dwarf form of the Maltese dogs of the spaniel family and were, together with pugs, the most popular lapdogs of the gallant age. Much admired by the nobility from the 15th to the 19th century, frequently appearing in paintings. They were bred by the Gonzagas and Medici and Alfonso II d’Este, Duke of Ferrara (1533–1597) gave a pair to Phillip II of Spain (1527–1598) as a gift and was thanked by the king who wrote, “These two little dogs are the most royal gifts one can make to an emperor”.
Johann Joachim Kaendler (1706-1775) created at least eight models of these decorative little dogs for Meissen in the second and third quarters of the 18th century (cf. Albiker 1959, figs.186-189 and p. 22; Rückert 1966, p. 202, nos.1169 and 1170, Pl. 285).
Sarah-Katharina Andres-Acevedo, (Andres-Acevedo 2023, vol. 2, p. 277) identifies this model in Kaendler’s ‘Taxa’ or overtime records, no. 108 of 1743-44, where they are described as:
“2 Pologneser oder Zottligte Hunde, gegen einander sehend auff Camine zu setzen. Davon einer sich krazet, der andere aber auffrecht sizet, per I Stück.. 4. Thlr.”
(2 Bolognese or shaggy dogs, to set on a chimney looking at each other, one of which is scratching itself, the other sitting upright, per piece 4 Thaler, facing each other for a chimney piece…).
(English translation from Rafael 2009, p. 55)
Our model is notable for the care taken in the detailed modelling of the free-standing paws.
Condition:
Tail restuck, chip
Provenance:
Robert G. Vater Collection
References:
Albiker 1959
Carl Albiker, Die Meissener Porzellantiere im 18. Jahrhundert, Berlin 1959
Andres-Acevedo 2023
Sarah-Katharina Andres-Acevedo, Die autonomen figürlichen Plastiken Johann Joachim Kaendlers und seiner Werkstatt zwischen 1731 und 1748, (2023)
Rafael 2009
Johannes Rafael, ’Zur “Taxa Kaendler“’, Keramos 203/204, 2009
Rückert 1966
Rainer Rückert, Meissener Porzellan 1710-1810, exhibition catalogue, (Hirmer, Munich, 1966)
SOLD