Set of ceramic figures

The white-glazed figures depict two young tradesmen in similar poses with different attributes. Each stands confidently resting his weight on the right leg, left foot forward, head and torso turned to the left, right arm bent up, and left arm slightly arched forward. A cobbler, standing against a rocky outcrop, wears a wide brimmed hat, neckerchief, apron, vented coat, breeches, stockings and a fashionable pair of shoes while holding laces in one hand and a shoe in the other – as if advertising his trade. An itinerant worker, standing against a tree stump, wears a wide-brimmed hat, neckerchief, shirt, coat, loose pants, leggings, and a pair of clogs while holding a sack under one arm – as if heading out to work for the day. Realistic representations of humble workers were fashionable at the time strongly influenced by a contemporary series of prints, the Cris de Paris (Cries of Paris), illustrating street merchants. These two figures are among the finest of the genre produced at Mennecy displaying skillful modeling and a fine attention to detail. They were likely made as part of a larger group that would have been used to decorate a dining able during the dessert course.