The figure rests his left hand on a pedestal on which there are two trowels and a set square, in a reference to the origins of freemasonry.
He also carries a masonic set square around his neck.
The pug at his feet refers to the Order of the Pug, a para masonic group, founded by Roman Catholics in Bavaria in about 1740, which allowed women to become members.
Pressnummern 34 and traces of the Meissen blue crossed swords mark appear on the base.
The 1763 Burghley Inventory records: ‘the bed-chamber…..China over the Chimney….a free Mason.’
