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Beautiful Grafenthal GDR porcelain figural group titled “Duet – Harp and Cello,” depicting an elegant 18th-century Rococo courtly music scene. The composition features a seated lady playing a harp beside a gentleman playing a cello, both dressed in richly colored period costume with floral decoration, gilt accents, and fine molded detail.
The scene has a refined Grafenthal GDR porcelain presentation, with the figures arranged on an ornate Rocaille-style base decorated with scrolling gilt borders, raised ornament, and a pink-accented central shield medallion. The lady is shown seated beside a harp in a decorated gown, while the gentleman is seated opposite with a cello, creating a charming salon music theme.
The underside bears a blue underglaze “AR” Augustus Rex style monogram, along with “Made in GDR” and the model number 17. The AR-style mark is associated here with the courtly Dresden Revival style and should be understood as a decorative/historical cipher used on this porcelain group, not as an 18th-century royal Meissen attribution.
A highly decorative Dresden-style porcelain figural group suitable for collectors of German porcelain, Rococo Revival figures, musical subject porcelain, Dresden figural groups, and European decorative arts.
Circa Date
circa 1959 / mid-20th century
Origin
Thuringia (Thüringen), East Germany
Measurements
Height: 8 inches
Length: 8 inches
Depth: 4 inches
Material
Hand-painted glazed porcelain with gilt accents.
Maker / Marks
Grafenthal GDR
Underside marked: Rex style monogram
Underside marked: Made in GDR
Model number: 17
Subject
Courtly musical duet with harp and cello.
Style
Grafenthal GDR , Dresden porcelain style , Rococo Revival, Continental porcelain, German porcelain, musical figural group, 18th-century court style.
Condition Report
Excellent condition with attractive presentation. The porcelain group displays beautifully with colorful hand-painted decoration, gilt accents, and detailed Rococo-style modeling. Light age-related surface wear and minor gilt wear may be present. No Chips or Cracks. Please note there appears to be a visible tight line or age-related line near the underside/base area shown in the photos; please review all images carefully. Delicate porcelain details such as fingers, flowers, instruments, and applied decoration should be reviewed closely in the photos, as they are part of the condition description.
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