KPM Berlin Porcelain Figurine: "Beggar Woman with Children"

KPM Berlin Porcelain Figurine: "Beggar Woman with Children"

Production: 19th century, modeled around 1775, during the reign of Frederick the Great.

Mark: cobalt blue scepter under glaze, used until 1837.

Manufacturer: KPM Berlin.

In good condition, but with a missing detail: the thumb of the hand is missing.  

Porcelain, hard paste, hand-painted.
Height: 18.5 cm, width: 8.5 cm.

The figurine depicts a beggar woman with two children. The woman is dressed in a brown mantle and a white headscarf with red spots.

She holds a milk jug, while a child of about 2 to 3 years old clutches a surprisingly refined vase, styled in the fashionable 18th-century Chinese or Oriental manner. This may be an ironic touch by the sculptor.

The scene may also reflect historical themes, perhaps portraying a widow or a woman left destitute after the Seven Years' War. The brown mantle and the details of the milk jug and the refined vase add depth and realism to the composition. Despite the small defect, the figurine is in overall good condition and represents a notable example of 18th and 19th-century porcelain art. Ideal for collectors and enthusiasts.

The Königliche Porzellan-Manufaktur Berlin (KPM) was founded on September 19, 1763, by Frederick the Great, King of Prussia. Frederick II, also known as Frederick the Great, was an enlightened monarch who supported and promoted the arts and sciences during his reign. The origins of the manufactory trace back to three private ventures of the 18th century that, under royal promotion, aimed to establish porcelain production in Berlin. The manufactory became known for its high-quality porcelain and artistic innovation. The cobalt blue scepter mark, used until 1837, signifies the authenticity of KPM production. After this date, the mark was updated to include the letters "KPM."