Exclusive Collection Monkey with Can

The expression "to give someone sugar" evokes vitality, exuberance, and spirited energy. For centuries, the monkey has symbolized a fascinating interplay of playfulness, luxury, and human desire. Revered in ancient Egypt and kept as exotic status symbols at European courts from the 14th century onward, monkeys embodied both fascination and sophistication.

In 1732, Johann Joachim Kaendler (1706-1775) created the model of a monkey holding a snuffbox-an extraordinary example of early MEISSEN craftsmanship. With remarkable artistry and keen observation, Kaendler combined wit, elegance, and the refined aesthetics of courtly porcelain culture in a single sculptural work.

Within Christian iconography, the monkey represents vanity, luxury, and sensual temptation, while also alluding to human weaknesses such as cunning and excess. The snuffbox refers to the culture of powdered tobacco, introduced to Europe through the French diplomat Jean Nicot and embraced by 18th-century aristocratic society as a symbol of pleasure and cultivated refinement.

The chain, too, carries symbolic meaning, suggesting an attachment to worldly indulgence and the tension between freedom and desire. Kaendler's figure thus transcends mere animal representation: it becomes a subtle reflection on human nature and the social currents of its time.

To this day, the work stands as a testament to the exceptional artistry of the MEISSEN manufactory-defined by masterful handcraftsmanship, iconic design language, and the unique fusion of artistic expression and technical excellence that has distinguished MEISSEN for more than 300 years.