This statuette in ivory was made by Leonhard Kern in Germany, in about 1620-1645. It represents Abundance. The head and figure type are closely analogous to other works by Kern, such as the Three Graces in the Württembergisches Landesmuseum, Stuttgart and the Abundance in the Kunsthistorisches Museum in Vienna as well as Charity in the V&A's own collection (A.37-1949).
Kern (1588-1662) trained under his brother Michael Kern (1580-1649) and then spent four years travelling mainly in Rome, Naples and Venice, though he also visited North Africa and Slovenia. His figures, often nudes, are distinctive in style, being both monumental and individualistic, inspired by South Netherlandish Sources, such as Rubens, but fusing them with Italianate poses. His female nudes are frequently shown with elaborate coiffures.
