Figure group "The Grape Thief". Original title A cavalier seated on a grass-covered stone plinth, holding a bowl of grapes. In front of him is a basket of grapes. Girl kneeling beside him, willingly taking grapes from the bowl and hiding them in her hat lying on the ground. Boy rushing to the side and girl seated behind with a bunch of grapes. Polychrome painting with subtle gold decoration. Designed by Johann Peter Melchior. Minimally dam. / rest; old Christie's label. Manufacturer's mark. H. 17,5 cm. Cf. cat. Reber, Johann Peter Melchior in Höchst, p. 85, ill. 174. Provenance: Dissolution of an important German private collection - part II. A porcelain figure group titled "the grape thief" modelled by J. P. Melchior. Minor chipped/restored. Old label from Christie's. Manufacturer's mark. Highest. Circa 1780.