Exceptional Höchst Porcelain Putti – Set of Four Musical Figures, Germany, ca. 1767–1779

Höchst Porcelain Putti — This exceptional set of four musical porcelain figures was produced at the prestigious Höchst factory in Germany between 1767 and 1779, when Johann Peter Melchior served as artistic director. The attribution is supported by the quality of the modelling, the iconography and the expressive resources evident in each figure, all fully consistent with the best Höchst Porcelain Putti created during this period.

Each putto is seated, playing a different instrument: tambourine, flute, violin and triangle. The modelling is exquisitely delicate, with close attention to facial features, gestures and anatomical volumes. Hand-painted enamels in soft polychrome over a white ground reflect the late German Rococo palette, a characteristic feature found in the most refined Höchst Porcelain Putti of the 18th century.

All four figures bear the Höchst wheel mark in cobalt blue underglaze on the base, clearly visible on each piece. This mark, together with the technique and ornamental style, allows precise dating to 1767–1779, the manufactory’s peak production period. This musical grouping of Höchst Porcelain Putti is not only highly decorative but also of notable historical and collectible value: musical cherubs were a recurring 18th-century theme which, at Höchst, acquired a particularly tender and expressive character compared with Meissen or Ludwigsburg.

Approximate dimensions (each figure)
Height: 4.5 cm (1.77 in)
Width: 3 cm (1.18 in)
Depth: 4.5 cm (1.77 in)

Condition
Very good for the age. Three figures are structurally complete and intact. One figure (the putto with triangle) shows a partial loss to the right index finger and minor enamel wear to the left foot. All exhibit fine, uniform surface craquelure consistent with age, confirming authenticity. No repainting or visible restoration detected.

Context and display
Thanks to its intimate scale and sculptural character, the ensemble is ideal for vitrines, shelves or coffee tables in classic, eclectic or contemporary high-end interiors. It also serves as a strong curatorial element for residential or institutional decorative-arts settings. Complete and clearly marked sets of Höchst Porcelain Putti are increasingly rare on the market.