Rare monumental figure "Monkey". Monkey sitting on an overgrown plinth, attentively observing its surroundings. Richly coloured, polychrome overglaze painting. Designed by Arthur Storch (1870 - 1947), 1921. ligated design monogram "A.St.", remainder; maker's mark. H. 64 cm. The model was created in connection with the famous group of 16 monumental animal sculptures by the modellers Hugo Meisel and Arthur Storch, with which the Aelteste Volkstedter Porzellanmanufaktur caused a sensation in 1921 when, under the direction of the architect Hans Poelzig, it was significantly involved in the design of the "Porzellan-Palais" in Leipzig, which was used for the first time as an exhibition centre. Due to their extraordinary size, their production posed a particular technical challenge. Even today, these are considered masterpieces of "artistic and technical craftsmanship". They were only produced in a small series of an estimated 10 moulds per model. Cf. cat. Schwarzburger Werkstätten, p. 272 ff.; Fritzsche, Aelteste Volkstedter Porzellanmanufaktur, p. 211f.; Zimmermann, in Deutsche Kunst und Dekoration, vol. 49, 1921 - 1922, p. 46ff. and Esswein, in DKD, vol. 50, 1922, p. 276ff.; Porzellanland Thüringen, p. 243ff.; Lauterbach, Arthur Storch, no. 53. Provenance: from the estate of an important North German private collection. A rare monumental Thuringian porcelain figure of a monkey modelled by A. Storch. Restored. Manufacturer's mark. Thuringia. Volkstedt-Rudolstadt. Oldest Volkstedt porcelain factory. 1920s.