Overview
A delicate hand-painted porcelain figurine featuring a dancer with a tambourine, distinguished by her intricate 'Dresden lace' skirt.
Preliminary identification
German Porcelain 'Dresden Lace' Figurine of a Girl with Tambourine
Photo reference
2 uploaded photos
Story
The secret to this figurine's skirt is a process of 'incineration' that feels like magic: artisans dipped real cotton lace into liquid porcelain and draped it onto the figure by hand.
Maker / Origin
The blue crown and 'N' mark on the base is a tribute to the historic 18th-century Capodimonte factory, but the 'Germany' stamp identifies it as a 20th-century production from a workshop like Sandizell (Hoffner & Co).
Condition & Value
The lace appears remarkably intact in the photos, which is the most critical factor for this type of porcelain. There is some minor wear to the gold gilding on the base, which is expected for its age. Any small breaks in the lace, even if hard to see, generally reduce the value by 30-50%.
Full Research
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Sold comps, value drivers, and venue guidance pulled from recent auction results.
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Market Analysis
Comparable demand stays strongest where maker, originality, and venue confidence line up. Broader examples still trade, but the range tightens quickly when provenance, condition, or selling lane fit is missing.
Value Drivers
- ▲ Strong maker attribution with credible period details
- ▲ Better-than-average condition for the category
- ▲ Broader demand rises when presentation and finish feel intact
Concerns
- ▼ Decorative-only demand limits the ceiling
- ▼ Surface wear or missing provenance can compress the range fast
- ▼ Regional sale lanes often underperform specialist venues
Best Venue
Specialty auction or a focused dealer with buyers already in this lane.
Comparable Sales
5 compsRegional auction
· Jun 2024Signed example with light edge wear and original frame.
$1,280
SOLD
Dealer archive
· Mar 2024Comparable format with stronger provenance and cleaner surface.
$1,450
SOLD
Marketplace sale
· Jan 2024Smaller related piece with visible craquelure and trimmed margins.
$980
SOLD
Estate platform
· Oct 2023Period match with softer condition and weaker subject matter.
$1,150
SOLD
Auction result
· Aug 2023Close market lane comp with similar material and presentation.
$1,375
SOLD