The Monkey Orchestra, was first made by Meissen in 1753, for Augustus III, King of Saxony, in 1753 supposedly after a guest at one his lavish banquets made fun of his orchestra and said that they played like performing monkeys. The figurines were created by the Meissen modeller Johann Joachim Kaendler and revised by modeller Peter Reinicke in 1765/66. A full orchestra consists of 21 figurines, plus a music stand, but most sets coming onto the market contain fewer figures. Later, other factories picked up the design and produced their own version of the monkey orchestra, and Meissen is still making a monkey orchestra.

9 items found:

These items have been sold, and the description, image and price are for reference purposes only.

'Monkey Band' group of ten assorted German porcelain statues…

Assorted German Porcelain Monkey Band with Music Stand

'Monkey Band' group of ten assorted German porcelain statues plus a music stand, various factories, predominantly Meissen, 19th/20th century, (11 items), the largest 15.5 cm high

A ten piece Dresden and Sitzendorf porcelain monkey band, mid…

Monkey Band Porcelain Figurines

A ten piece Dresden and Sitzendorf porcelain monkey band, mid 20th century, in different sizes and comprising well dressed 18th century style monkeys playing a variety of instruments, including: a trumpet, hunting horn, cello, double bass, mandolin, pipe,…

A Rudolstadt Volkstedt monkey band group of nine musicians,…

Rudolstadt Volkstedt Monkey Band Group of Nine Musicians

A Rudolstadt Volkstedt monkey band group of nine musicians, printed and impressed marks to base. Height tallest 11.5 cm. (9)

Nine German porcelain monkey orchestra figures with various…

German Porcelain Monkey Orchestra Figures (Set of 9)

Nine German porcelain monkey orchestra figures with various marks, approx 10 cm to 15 cm high (9)

Six German porcelain monkey Orchestra figures, each dressed in…

German Porcelain Monkey Orchestra Figures, Set of 6

Six German porcelain monkey Orchestra figures, each dressed in 18th century outfits playing a musical instrument, raised on small raised rococo bases accented in gilt, marks to bases, height 9.5 cm to 14.5 cm (6)

A Rudolstadt Volkstedt monkey band comprising conductor and…

Rudolstadt Volkstedt Monkey Band Figurines

A Rudolstadt Volkstedt monkey band comprising conductor and nine musicians, printed and impressed marks to base, minor losses. Height tallest 16 cm. (10)

Volkstedt 'Monkey Band' 15 piece German porcelain ensemble,…

Volkstedt Monkey Band Porcelain Ensemble

Volkstedt 'Monkey Band' 15 piece German porcelain ensemble, 20th century, blue factory mark to bases, the largest 16 cm high

A twelve piece Sitzendorf porcelain monkey band, early 20th…

Sitzendorf Porcelain Monkey Band

A twelve piece Sitzendorf porcelain monkey band, early 20th century, finely dressed monkeys in 18th century outfits each playing or carrying a musical instrument, raised on small raised rococo bases picked out in gilt, with crown and crossed 'S' marks…

A sixteen-piece Carl Thieme German Monkey band after the 18th…

Carl Thieme German Monkey Band, 1860

A sixteen-piece Carl Thieme German Monkey band after the 18th century Meissen, circa 1860, each signed for Saxonian Porcelain Factory Carl Thieme and VEB Saxonian Porcelain Manufactory Dresden.