Very RARE Antique German Nymphenburg BUSTELLI Figure 'Putti as Flora' Polychrome !

Porcelain : Antique : German Porcelain : Nymphenburg

 

A divine, hard-paste porcelain figure, originally modeled, c. 1755 - 1760 by Franz Anton Bustelli, considered one of the greatest porcelain modelers of the 18th century rococo period, right up there with the Meissen figurine modelers of the same period! Note in particular the superb modeling of the head and muscular body and the sophisticated use of asymmetrical curves, which animate the figure and give her such personality! She is also superbly painted in the baroque style. This was one of Bustelli's earliest figures, so, the baroque style so typical of southern Germany is still very influential.

A cherub or putto carrying flowers and wearing a puce toga - her official name is 'Putte als Flora' goddess of Spring. She is one of a series of 26 similar figures created by Bustelli to represent the Ovidian gods. Height c. 4 in. (10 cm.)

Little is known about his early life, but Bustelli was Modellmeister as early as 1754 at the porcelain factory in Neudorf, which was later moved into the Nymphenburg palace near Munich, in Bavaria, and still produces porcelain today. I have visited the collection of Bustelli porcelains, exhibited there and in the museums of Munich, on several occasions and never want to leave! You MUST go if you ever get the chance!

Most of the Bustelli figures that one finds today are glazed only in ivory white, recalling the 18th century sugar figures on the dessert tables, that originally inspired the porcelain figurines. But, we have here a much rarer polychrome version! There was a painted set of nine of the figures, created for the electoral court, as early as 1758.

Our Flora is well marked with the impressed shield (5-6 mm.) of the Nymphenburg factory atop and also under the base. The numbers 417 and 0 are also impressed under the base. I believe the figure is early 19th century, though it is very difficult to be certain. The marks most resemble those used circa 1790 - 1810, judging by the examples of marks illustrated in Ziffer, 'Nymphenburger Porzellan: Sammlung Bauml,' p. 390-2. The unpainted version of the figure itself is illustrated on p. 24, fig. 16, and further described on p. 26-7 of the same book. Indeed, Flora is illustrated in several books on Nymphenburg, but I have yet to see one of her illustrated in polychrome... this is such a rare find!

The figure is in quite good condition for its age, with no cracks or restorations: nothing more than the typical nip to a rose petal in her hair and one of the leaves in her hand; possibly a bit of gold loss on the base, though that appears to be original to production, with no chip evident. Any dark spots are just shadows.

I am on the lookout for other polychrome figures in this set and I would appreciate any leads to others. But, do grab her for yourself, if you like her as much as I do. I doubt you will soon see another like her!

Item ID: 809-04