The different monkeys of the orchestra are mentioned in the work reports of Johann Joachim Kaendler from the period between 1749 and 1766. As early as 1753, Kaendler created an ensemble of musician monkey figures in colorful clothing with an affected-looking expression, which he revised again around 1765/1766 in collaboration with Peter Reinicke.
In 1999, the Meissen Manufactory selected the impressive conductor along with his music stand, as well as the bass violinist, flutist, violinist, and female singer for the century collection to assemble a comical monkey quintet. Urged on by the conductor's grand gestures, the four musicians give their best. Their distinctive type of decoration is unusual, reminiscent of the Saxon national colors: white and green.
Depictions of animals with human characteristics and behaviors were extremely popular, not least due to the great interest in fable poetry during the 18th century.
To this day, Kändler's grand monkey orchestra remains one of the most whimsical Meissen classics and has been copied numerous times by other manufacturers.
Often, an entire collector's lifetime is scarcely enough to assemble a complete set of the monkey orchestra.
The reasons that led to the creation of the 'Monkey Orchestra' are evidently rooted in the intellectual and cultural upheaval of the era, which was already significantly shaped by the progressive ideas of the Enlightenment movement.