The Meissen figure group that sold for £26,000 at Paul Beighton.
Offered for sale at Thurcroft, near Rotherham on August 23, the buyer of the c.1741-43 group was a UK private collector, underbid by an internet bidder on www.the-saleroom.com.
Inspired by engravings on marriage by William Hogarth, few examples of this group with the Harlequin figure survive. The model is clearly described in Kandler's Taxa- or record book - for 1741 and was estimated at £2000-3000.
It was consigned by a UK collector, who is understood to have purchased it some years ago at Christie's in New York.
The 63/4in (17cm) tall group had suffered some damage, with three of the heads having broken off and been restored.
The buyer's premium was 17.5 per cent buyer's premium.
