Allegory of Smell

"The Allegory of Smell" is originally from a series of statuettes representing the personification of the five senses.

These statuettes exhibit the masterly sculptural quality of Meissen porcelain between 1733 and 1775 when J. J. Kändler served as a chief modeler.

Provenance

Provenance (from the French provenir, 'to come from/forth') is the chronology of the ownership, custody, or location of a historical object. Learn more about provenance at the Walters.

Collection of Henry James (H. J.) King, London, by 1914 [date and mode of acquisition unknown]; Christie, Manson & Woods, H. J. King sale, 5 May 1914, lot 69 [1]; with Jacques Seligmann, Paris, by 16 May 1914 [date and mode of acquisition unknown] [2]; purchased by Henry Walters, Baltimore, 1914; by bequest to the Walters Art Museum, 1931.

Christie, Manson & Woods, London, “Catalogue of the Well-known Collection of Dresden Porcelain of H. J. King, Esq. Who is giving up his Residence, 138 Piccadilly, W. The greater part of the Collection was formerly part of the Massy-Mainwaring [sic] Collection, and exhibited at the Bethnal Green Museum,” sale cat., 5 May 1914, lot 69: “The Senses: a set of five allegorical figures of Nymphs accompanied by Amorini, on white and gold scroll plinths – 11 ½ in. high”. King purchased a large collection of Meissen porcelain assembled by William and Isabella Massey-Mainwaring in May 1899. It is currently unknown if the allegories of the senses figures were in the Massey-Mainwaring collection.
[2] Archives of American Art, Jacques Seligmann & Co. records, 1904-1978, box 309, folder 1: Invoices, 1910 June-1919 October, copy of an invoice to “Mr. Henry WALTERS”, dated 16 May 1914, including “4851 Five figures in old Dresden China representing the 5 senses. From the King collection sold in London on the 5th May 1914 – No 69. Frs. 7.500”.