Flute Concerto in Sanssouci (14 figurines)

Country: Germany (Thuringia)

Manufactory: Volkstedt

Date of establishment: second quarter of the twentieth century

Size (cm): 8,5

Porcelain Story

This rare composition, consisting of 14 figurines, each of which is a perfect work of porcelain art, is very unusual. Well, firstly, the figures, despite their small size, are distinguished by many fine details. Secondly, each figurine could well be an independent part of the collection - after all, they are self-sufficient: the musicians, the conductor, and the audience passionate about music, comfortably seated on sofas...

But there is another meaning in this unusual porcelain ensemble, not very well known to inexperienced viewers. The fact is that the Sanssouci Palace in Potsdam was built at the behest (and partly according to the drawings) of the Prussian King Frederick the Great. He had many palaces built in honor of high-profile military victories, pompous and ceremonial, designed to receive distinguished guests and hold noisy balls. And only one palace in Sanssouci remained closed for receptions, for balls, and even for women.

This palace was intended for philosophical reflection on life and sometimes for ... concerts for flute and orchestra. And often the part of the flute in the concert was performed by Frederick the Great himself, who was also known as a very prolific composer. So, taking into account the knowledge of these historical details (which I learned, by the way, after the acquisition of all 14 figurines), I want to look at  this unusual porcelain composition again and again, guessing in the concert participants the names of people who played a significant role in European history.