Meissen Königliche Porzellanmanufaktur

Female pug sitting on a red cushion Porcelain, colored overglaze decoration, gilding. Sitting facing left, with fine light fur decoration and lively incarnation. A purple ribbon with a yellow bow and three golden bells around his neck. The iron-red cushion with black leaf decoration in a repeat and four golden tassels. Struck base without mark. Restored tail, bells and minimal chips to the ears. H 11 cm. Meissen, the model by Johann Joachim Kaendler, around 1743 - 45. We still recommend reading Erich Köllmann's essay in Keramos 50/70 on the rare subject of the Order of the Pug, in which he discusses the only known publication on the order founded by the Cologne Elector Clemens August and its causes: The book "L'ordre des Francs-Macons trahi et le Secret des Mopses relevé" by Abbé Gabriel Louis Calabre Perau, published in Amsterdam in 1745. It describes in particular detail the solemn but humorous rite of admission to the order, which was intended to satirize that of the Freemasons. Overall, the book is probably more of a suggestion for a critical social game, which was prompted by the ban and excommunication of the French Freemasons by Pope Clement XII in 1738. Women were also admitted to the new order, one of whom held the position of Grand Master of the Lodge together with the Grand Pug. Literature Cf. Dumortier/Habets (eds.), The T&T Collection. Porcelain Pugs A Passion, Brussels 2019, cat. No. 12. Cf. Helke/Schandelmaier, Courtly Companions. Pugs and Other Dogs in Porcelain and Faience, Stuttgart 2020, cat. No. 21. An identically painted but larger pug lady verst. Lempertz Cologne auction 1000 on November 16, 2012, lot 72.