The Vinegar Seller (Le vinaigreur) from the Cris de Paris Series
Meissen, model by Peter Reinicke, 1753/54; moulded and decorated c. 1760–70
Height: 14.9 cm; underglaze-blue crossed swords mark with dot; impressed number “30”
The figure forms part of the 34-piece Cris de Paris series created by Peter Reinicke in 1753/54 on commission from the Parisian dealer Christophe Huet. The models are based on watercolour design drawings—dated and inscribed—which are still preserved in the Meissen manufactory archives and were first published almost in their entirety in 1992 by Günther Reinheckel (Weltkunst, no. 9).
The inscription on the preparatory drawing reads (Reinheckel 1992, no. 15 a, b):
“No. 33 CH – a wine and vinegar seller; he has a tin measure hanging from his cart, a copper funnel and a wooden mustard pot or can. No. 18, 1753"”
Today we know that, according to the Parisian guild regulations, only vinegar sellers were permitted to cry mustard in the streets.
Comparative examples:
Coll. Shimmerman, no. 101
Coll. Klemperer, cat. no. 645, pl. 94
Coll. Fischer, cat. no. 756 (there interpreted as a street vendor of fresh milk)
Eberle 2001, no. 49 = Metz, 25 April 2009, lot 62
The most recent and comprehensive discussion of the Cris de Paris series is provided by Vanessa Sigalas in the catalogue of the Shimmerman Collection (p. 266).