modelled by J.J. Kaendler, as an old man seated, embraced by a young girl, holding a dog in her lap, two Harlequins standing behind him, the front one presenting the old man with a bowl of celery, the other one sticking cock's feathers onto his cap, the old man wearing a puce night gown, black breeches and yellow shoes, the girl a white dress painted with indianische Blumen, and a black bodice, the front harlequin wearing a puce jacket with playing cards and turquoise breeches, the other a chequered suit, on a circular base applied with leaves and flowers (some restoration)

With Kate Foster Antiques, London

She with restoration to right shoulder, frilled cap, left shoulder, back lappet of skirt, left shoe, dog's left ear, the old man with restoration to neck, tip of night cap, left and right hem of coat, back of coat, small finger of left hand, left shoe, the Harlequin with restoration to right arm, brim of hat and tip of feather, feather in his right hand broken, the other Harlequin with right arm restored, right hand and two fingers restuck, restored right thumb, left elbow, back hem of tunic, leaves and flowers on base
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

This figure group has been recorded in Kaendler's Taxa, 1740. 1. Groupgen von 4. Figuren bestehend, ein alter Mann ... bey einem jungen Frauenzimmer ... hinter ihm steht ein arlequin ... vorne aber kömmt ein Kerl ...' , see J. Rafael, Zur Taxa Kaendler's, Keramos 203/204, 2009, p. 48 (30)
In Harlequin unmasked Meredith Chilton suggests that when creating this satirical figure, J. J.Kaendler could have been inspired by either a scene from Molière's Le malade imaginaire, or by an engraving by Engelbrecht, from the series Academia, published 1725 in Augsburg, p, 193, fig. 311-313