Rare: “Apollo Served by the Nymphs” a Very Large 20 x 16 inch Volkstedt German Porcelain 7 Figural Grouping after Francois Girardon (Palace of Versailles)

A very large, porcelain 7 person figural grouping by Oldest Volkstedt Porcelain Factory – Germany, showing a replica of the life size marble original in the Louvre of the  “Apollo Bathing – Attended by the Nymphs of Thetis”  –  6 nymphs in colourful classical dress attending to Apollo sitting in the middle. They are bathing his feet, anointing his hand, and one fixes his hair.  This is an unusual study as most large figural groupings by this company are of Rococo scenes with musicians or parlour settings – A Classical study of this nature is rare – this is more typical of Meissen.

A very large, porcelain 7 person figural grouping by Oldest Volkstedt Porcelain Factory – Germany, showing a replica of the life size marble original at the Palace of Versaille in France of the  “Apollo Bathing – Attended by the Nymphs of Thetis” by Francois Girardon (1628-1715)  –  6 nymphs in colourful classical dress attending to Apollo sitting in the middle. They are bathing his feet, anointing his hand, and one fixes his hair.  This is an unusual study as most large figural groupings by this company are of Rococo scenes with musicians or parlour settings – A Classical study of this nature is rare – this is more typical of Meissen.

There are gold accents and a Greek key pattern around the rim of the grouping along with the maker’s mark in underglaze blue of a mirrored ‘G’ under a crown for ‘Volkstedt Porcelain Factory’ and 1762 underneath (the year the company started).  The grouping dates early 20th Century.

The grouping is very large – measuring  just over 20 inches long x 10 inches wide x 16 inches tall.  The quality is superb.  Original photo of the marble sculpture also pictured.

It is excellent condition.