Rare Hochst “La Baigneuse” porcelain figure, Melchior c. 1775

Original price was: $2,480.00.Current price is: $2,250.00.

Höchst – Figure – La Baigneuse – Porcelain Sculpture Signed by Johann Peter Melchior – ca. 1775

“La Baigneuse” is an original porcelain figure signed by Johann Peter Melchior (1747–1825), one of the foremost sculptors of 18th-century European porcelain. This work was created around 1775 at the Höchst manufactory in Germany, where Melchior served as chief modeler during the factory’s artistic peak.

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Hochst La Baigneuse – Höchst Porcelain Figure Signed by Johann Peter Melchior, ca. 1775

Hochst La Baigneuse is an original Höchst porcelain figure signed by Johann Peter Melchior (1747–1825), one of the foremost sculptors of 18th-century European porcelain. This work was created around 1775 at the Höchst manufactory in Germany, where Melchior served as chief modeler during the factory’s artistic peak.

The figure depicts a nude young woman in a modest, introspective pose, standing beside a draped cloth in rich purple, which flows over a naturalistic rocky base. This sculpture exemplifies the transitional style between late Rococo and early Neoclassicism in Germany, blending graceful sensuality with refined classical restraint.

Executed in white glazed porcelain, the piece features finely painted details, including subtle facial features, gold-accented drapery, and carefully modeled anatomy. The artist’s name, Melchior, appears in relief on the base, and the figure also bears the original Höchst factory mark, a blue wheel underglaze.

This is a museum-quality work in outstanding condition, free from restorations, chips, or repainting.
Pieces signed and documented from this period are rare and highly sought after by advanced collectors of antique German porcelain and neoclassical decorative arts.


Dimensions

  • Height: 15.8 cm / 6.2 in.

  • Width: 9.5 cm / 3.7 in.

  • Depth: 7.5 cm / 2.9 in.


Historical and Artistic Relevance

The figure of La Baigneuse reflects Melchior’s mature and characteristic style—refined, expressive, and technically exceptional. His works at Höchst marked a turning point in the artistic language of porcelain sculpture, setting the foundation for German Neoclassicism.

Rare signed examples like this are increasingly difficult to find and are highly valued in the international market for their authenticity, elegance, and historical importance.

Height: 6.2
Width: 3.7
Depth: 2.9
1775
Hard-paste porcelain, Enamel decoration, Fired gold detailing
Neoclassical, Rococo (late), Academic
Ivory, Purple, Gold, Green, Brown

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