Lot 77
- 77
Two Meissen models of elephants, mid-18th century
Estimate
4,000 - 6,000 GBP
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Description
- Porcelain
- 7.5cm., 3 in. high
freestanding, one with grey coat and purple-edged pink caparison, the other with pale brown coat and a gilt-edged yellow caparison enamelled with formal flowers, the second with crossed swords mark in underglaze-blue,
Provenance
The elephant with a yellow caparison, sold at Christie's London, 1st December 1980, lot 194
Literature
Melitta Kunze-Köllensperger, Alexanders Tiere, Sammlung Axel Guttman, Part VII, pp. 78-79, 131, nos. 88, 89
Condition
Elephant with pink caparison- restoration to trunk and both tusks.
Elephant with yellow caparison- restoration to trunk, both tusks and left ear. Restoration to bottom edge of caparison on each side. Minor wear to gilding.
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."
Catalogue Note
Reinicke's work records for February 1746 list: 'Elephanten, 4 ½ Zoll hoch in Thon bossirt' [modelled in clay 1 elephant, 4 1/2 Zoll high]. Kändler also modelled in May 1746 one elephant for the warehouse: '1 Modell zu einem Elephanten zum Laager poußiret' [modelled 1 figure of an elephant for the warehouse.], and corrected another example in September 1747. This model was most likely part of the exotic animal menagerie to be displayed as table decoration, together with rhinoceros, leopards and lions. Many models were listed in the various Conditorei inventories: thirteen white examples in the Dresden Conditorei inventory (1733-48), eighteen coloured and white examples in the Dresden Conditorei inventory (1752) and twelve white examples in the Warsaw Conditorei inventory (1750). The Brühl inventory (1753) also lists twenty elephants in various sizes.