Dancing girl (Columbine)

Art Historical Context

This delicate figurine, created around 1770 by thecia Porcelain Manufactory in, captures the lively spirit of Columbine, a beloved character from the Italian commedia dell’arte. Standing just 6½ inches tall, the soft-paste porcelain figure depicts a young girl mid-dance, her graceful pose frozen in time. Doccia, one of Italy’s leading porcelain producers in the eighteenth century, specialized in such small-scale sculptures that brought theatrical and everyday scenes into the homes of collectors. Soft-paste porcelain, the medium used here, allowed for fine modeling and a luminous surface that highlighted the folds of the dancer’s costume and the lightness of her movement. Produced in Florence during a period when European manufactories sought to rival Chinese and German porcelain, this piece reflects the era’s fascination with theater, elegance, and decorative arts. Its intimate scale suggests it was intended for display in a cabinet or on a mantel, where it could delight viewers with its charm and craftsmanship. Today in the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s collection, the work offers a glimpse into eighteenth-century Italian taste and the technical artistry of Doccia’s modelers. The figure’s joyful pose continues to evoke the playful energy of commedia dell’arte performances that once entertained audiences across Europe.

About the Artist

Doccia Porcelain Manufactory · 1737–1896

The Doccia Porcelain Manufactory, founded in 1737 by Marquis Carlo Ginori near Florence, holds the distinction of being Italy's first hard-paste porcelain manufacturer and one of the few European porcelain enterprises to survive from the eighteenth century to the present day without interruption. Unlike most contemporary ventures — which depended on the patronage and protection of ruling courts — ...