Siren on rock crystal base, Pearl Figurine. Dresden early 18th century height 8.3 cm.
The history of jewelry is closely connected with Germany. German jewelers have been renowned for their craftsmanship since the Middle Ages. A whole collection of jewelry miniatures created in the Baroque era and acquired by August the Strong (1670-1733) for his newly created treasury in the Green Vaults in Dresden has come down to our time. It is known that he had about 57 “Perlfiguren” (pearl figurines): fish and birds, real and mythological animals and, of course, people.
Grotesque figurine Creeping Harlequin, Frankfurt am Main, Pearl Figurine, Augustus the Strong, early 18th century height 5.8 cm.
All kinds of characters, sometimes in a grotesque performance: from cheerful dwarfs to tall halberdiers, from beggars to respectable merchants – they are all created using unusually shaped pearls. Such pearls are called baroque. There are biblical and classical miniatures, Moors, merchants and soldiers, characters from the commedia dell’arte – everything that was of interest to the Saxon court of those times. Everything to please, amuse, surprise and entertain.
Grotesque figurine of a cook playing the violin on a brazier probably Frankfurt am Main early 18th century height 12.2 cm.
Such knick-knacks could only be afforded by the richest buyers, they could only be found in the imperial, royal or princely Kunstkameras. In the treasury they were assigned a special cabinet. A large series of figures were purchased from the Huguenot jeweler Guillaume Verbeck at the Frankfurt am Main trade fair, some were made by the court jeweler Johann Heinrich Köhler (1669-1736), several miniatures were created by the Berlin jeweler Jean-Louis Girardet (1681-1738). Huguenot Jean-Louis Girardet came to Berlin from Autun in Burgundy.
Bust probably Germany before 1733 height 12.8 cm.
The characters in his Perlfiguren were mostly soldiers and beggars, inspired by Jacques Callot’s famous series of etchings Les Gueux (The Beggars). The figurines purchased from Guillaume Verbeck are very different in style and execution. It is believed that these are the works of unknown jewelers that Verbeck sold in his shop. Nowadays, the collection is stored in its historical place – in the treasury Grünes Gewölbe Dresden.
The central part of each miniature is a large Baroque pearl. It is its form that determines the plot and composition. And the creative imagination of the masters is boundless. The frame is gold and silver, decorated with enamel and precious stones.
Reclining camel probably Germany before 1706 height 3.5 cm.Turtle probably Germany circa 1700 1705 height 3.4 cm.Halberdier with dog probably Frankfurt am Main 1700 1705 height 16 cm.Soaring swan. Heraldic bird of Stormarn County probably Copenhagen circa 1700 1705 4.2 cm high.Camel with two slaves historical name probably Frankfurt am Main 1700 1705 height 12.3 cm.“Harlequin in a black mask”, probably Frankfurt am Main, before 1706, height 11 cm. An oval shell cameo covered with a crystal cabochon is mounted in a stand decorated with enamel. The scene depicts Pygmalion and Galatea at the moment when she comes to life.Dutchman on skates probably Frankfurt am Main 1700 1705 height 12.3 cm.Grotesque figurine Dancing Dwarf probably Frankfurt am Main before 1706 height 8.6 cm.Bacchus on a barrel probably Dresden before 1706 height 9 cm.Cupid on a lizard probably Dresden before 1706 4.1 cm high.Grotesque figurine of a Dwarf in the guise of a grenadier historical name jeweler Johann Heinrich Kohler Dresden before 1725 height 13.1 cm.Swedish grenadier on crutches jeweler Johann Heinrich Kohler Dresden 1709 1725 height 13.8 cm.Diana under a green tree goldsmith Johann Heinrich Kohler Dresden early 18th century height 14.5 cm.Dwarf dancer and violinist historical name jeweler Johann Heinrich Kohler Dresden early 18th century height 12.6 cm.Clock topped with a figure of a singer jeweler Johann Heinrich Kohler Dresden 1700 1710 height 15.3 cm.One eyed beggar on crutches jeweler Jean Louis Girardet Berlin circa 1725 height 10.2 cm.Seated beggar goldsmith Jean Louis Girardet Berlin 1709 1725 height 8.7 cm.Soldier with spear and saber jeweler Jean Louis Girardet Berlin 1709 1725 height 9.8 cm.Pigeon with a ring in its beak probably Germany before 1706 height 10 cm.Jasper bowl with cupid and dolphin Germany, Augustus the Strong, early 18th century height 10.7 cm.Marine unicorn probably Frankfurt am Main 1st quarter of the 18th century height 9.0 cm. Enamelled base depicting the rescue of Andromeda by Perseus.“Happy winemaker”, Pearl Figurine Frankfurt am Main, early 18th century, Augustus the Strong, height 8.8 cm. The tipsy wine grower holds two bunches of amethyst and carnelian grapes in his right hand, and a knife for cutting bunches in his left hand. At this time, a curious cat looks into his basket.
