Rare statuette représentant le fou du roi (Hofnarr) Josef Fröhlich en porcelaine de Meissen, circa 1739

A rare Meissen figure of the Court Jester (Hofnarr) Josef Fröhlich, circa 1739

Footnotes

Provenance:
The Property of E.A. Treherne, Esq., Sotheby's London, 25 March 1958, lot 166;
Sir Henry Tate, Bt., sold Christie's London, 6 March 1995, lot 153

Literature:
Rainer Rückert, Der Hofnarr Josef Fröhlich 1694-1757 (1998), p. 265, n. 32

Another example of this very rare variation with an owl perched on his left shoulder, formerly in the Gustav von Gerhardt Collection, is in the Museum of Decorative Arts in Budapest, inv. no. 5854 (published by R. Rückert, ill. 10).

The earliest record of the figure is in Kaendler's work reports in September 1736: 'Eine Josephs Fügur in Thon geändert und Verpeßeret damit solcher aufs Neue Hat können abeformet Werden' [A clay figure of Joseph altered and improved so that it could be newly moulded].

In April 1737, following a visit to Joseph Fröhlich in Dresden, Kaendler reworked the head of the figure to make it more life-like, noting in his work records: 'Dem so genannten Joseph sein Völlig Gesichte Wie er sich itzo Natürlich befindet nach der Ähnlichkeit poussiret, mit seinem Hut Wie er ihn träget mit einem großen Blumen Pusch, und hat am Halß einen von Spietzen sauber gefertigten Kragen [Modelled the whole face of the so-called Joseph as he now appears naturally after life, with his hat as he wears it with a large flower sprig, and around the neck a cleanly finished lace collar].

Kaendler's work reports record that he modelled the owl in May 1738: 'Zu der bekannten Joseps Fügur Eine kleine Eulenfigur Welche ihm auf die Achseln gesetzet worden fegertiget' [completed a small figure of an owl for the known Joseph figure, which was set on his shoulders] (quoted by Rückert, p.35). In April and May 1738, six "Josephs-Figuren" were finished by the formers on overtime (suggesting an urgent commission) (Rückert, p.35).

Joseph Fröhlich (1694-1757) was born in Austria but became famous at the court in Dresden, where - together with 'Baron' Schmiedel - he became one of the most famous and well-recorded figures in the entourages of the Electors of Saxony and kinds of Poland, Augustus the Strong and Augustus III. Fröhlich's image can be found in a multitude of disciplines in the Dresden State Collections, in paintings by Bellotto, in precious jewellery and of course in porcelain.

His career began in 1725 as a juggler and jester at the Court of the Margrave of Bayreuth. On the recommendation of the Margrave's sister, Electress Eberhardine, the wife of Augustus the Strong, Fröhlich moved to Dresden where he served as Court Jester to the King. In Dresden he was the Electoral and Royal Court juggler, adviser kurzweiliger Rat, magician and jester and from 1744 onwards he was the Royal Polish Mühlenkommisar. These titles may have all been bestowed on him in jest, but his proximity to the ruler gave him status and power that only few at the court had access to. Fröhlich was by all accounts a savvy and clever man, and after Augustus the Strong's death in 1733, he continued in his duties for Augustus III, and even moved to Warsaw with the King at the start of the Seven Years' War.