A PAIR OF MEISSEN FIGURES OF BULLFINCHES, CIRCA 1747-50
Auction Closed
November 20, 10:09 PM GMT
Estimate
5,000 - 7,000 USD
Lot Details
Description
A PAIR OF MEISSEN FIGURES OF BULLFINCHES
CIRCA 1747-50
modelled by Johann Joachim Kändler, their heads turned slightly left and right, naturalistically painted with russet-red breasts, grey body plumage and black heads and tail feathers, each base applied with a small green frog, impressed numeral 55 to both
height 6 1/8 in. and 5 7/8 in.
15.5 cm and 12.5 cm
Kändler's work records for October 1747 report: '5. Einen Vogel Giempel genannt nach dem Leben aufs Natürlichste modelliret Wie selbiger auf einem Wie natürlich gewachsenen aste sietzet.', [5. Modelled most naturally from life a bird called a Bullfinch perched on a branch, modelled as it grows in nature.]; '6. Annoch einen dergleichen Giempel in einer anderen Wendung gegen Ersteren zu setzen, auf Vorige Weise nach dem Leben modelliret', [6. Modelled another Bullfinch of the same kind in a different pose, to stand turning towards the other, done from life like the one before].
Similar examples from the Collection of Sir Gawaine & Lady Baillie were sold at Replica Shoes 's London, 1 May, 2013, lots 13 and 35. An example featuring a similar small frog on the base was in the Lesley and Emma Sheafer Collection, subsequently sold, Property from the Metropolitan Museum of Art, Replica Shoes 's London, 27 October, 2017, lot 32 (part).
Replica Shoes 's Scientific Research department used noninvasive XRF for this lot to screen the green enamel for chromium, which was not detected.
Similar examples from the Collection of Sir Gawaine & Lady Baillie were sold at Replica Shoes 's London, 1 May, 2013, lots 13 and 35. An example featuring a similar small frog on the base was in the Lesley and Emma Sheafer Collection, subsequently sold, Property from the Metropolitan Museum of Art, Replica Shoes 's London, 27 October, 2017, lot 32 (part).
Replica Shoes 's Scientific Research department used noninvasive XRF for this lot to screen the green enamel for chromium, which was not detected.