Lot 378

A large and rare majolica Nymphenburg figurine "Naked boy with grapes and jug", Josef Wackerle, circa 1910 (design)

Works of Art, Antiquities & Ancient Art | A108kua | Live auction | 1169 Lots

Description

Reddish fragments glazed in white. Mounted on a square pedestal with a circular plinth. The standing, naked boy holding a bunch of grapes in his right hand and a vase in his left. The Nymphenburg lozenge hallmark on the front. The pedestal extensively restored, otherwise minor retouching. Height 68 cm. According to I. Feuchtmayr, in the exhibition catalogue "Joseph Wackerle 1880-1959. Dem Bildhauer zum Gedächtnis", Munich, Prinz-Carl-Palais, 11 Nov. -11 December 1960, pp. 18-22, the figurine was modelled on Josef Wackerle's son. At the age of 26, Wackerle became artistic director of the Manufaktur Nymphenburg. He was a professor at the teaching institute of the museum of arts and crafts in Berlin, succeeded J. Flossmann at the Kunstgewerbeschule in Munich and held a teaching post at the Munich Academy. He achieved renown as a masterly fountain sculptor, also designing the Neptune Fountain in the old Botanical Gardens in Munich. Wackerle was also in great demand among NS members. Hitler's tea house in Obersalzberg featured a stucco relief with a nymph and Pan depicted as a youth (today exhibited in the Haus der Deutschen Kunst). He enjoyed continued success after World War II as he was not affiliated with any party.

Condition: III + Questions about the lot?

General Information

The auction starts on Monday, May 18, 2026 at 10 am (CEST) with Lot no. 001 - 861 and continues on Tuesday, May 19, 2026 at 10 am (CEST) with Lot no. 862 - 1172. The pre-sale view will take place from May 12 - May 15 2026 in our auction rooms at Bretonischer Ring 3 in 85630 Grasbrunn / Munich from 11 am to 5 pm (CEST). Please make an appointment if possible to avoid waiting times.