Rare Anti-Semitic Figure. 2 Movable Sections. A Jew Learning. Quality Porcelain, Meissen. Mid-19th Century

Rare Anti-Semitic Figure. 2 Movable Sections. A Jew Learning. Quality Porcelain, Meissen. Mid-19th Century
Rare anti-Semitic figure. 2 movable sections. A Jew learning. Quality porcelain, Meissen, Mid-19th century. Figure of a Jew wearing a purple robe, sitting on a chair and learning Torah. He wears a black skullcap and holds a book with Hebrew letters in his hands. The head is separated and rests on the shoulders via a metal rod, with a weight attached to its bottom. This technique allows the head to move, copying characteristic Jewish “shuckling”. The bottom jaw is also separate and is attached with a small pin to the head, allowing additional movement of the mouth. The Jew sports a large nose and his eyes are open in a frozen expression. 20 cm. high, maximal width, 13 cm. The porcelain techniques that reached Europe in the 18th century allowed for wide dissemination of anti-Semitic ideas. The motifs included the characteristic Jewish stereotypes – the cheater and trickster – and the casts emphasized exterior elements such as the long nose. These figurines poked fun of Jewish customs such as Torah study and prayer. A number of rare porcelain pieces, such as this one, were made from separate sections that allowed for the imitation of Jewish movements. Original stamp of the Meissen factory. Excellent condition. Porcelain figures from these years, in such excellent condition, are very rare.