Lot Essay
The Arbeitsberichte (working papers) for 1741 mentions that Kaendler modelled a large elephant and in 1743 for Reinicke: 1 Elephant 9 Zoll hoch mit einer verzierten Decke überhangend in Thon bossirt, and for 1747: 2 Elephanten mit Decken in Thom repariret. Even though this information only concerns the animal, it is generally assumed that the present elephant was also executed at that time.
A closely related elephant, without an ormolu base, was sold from the collection of Ritter Rudolf von Gutmann at Sotheby's Geneva, 9 November 1987, lot 225. A further example was sold anonymously in these Rooms, 5 October 1981, lot 194.
A closely related elephant, without an ormolu base, was sold from the collection of Ritter Rudolf von Gutmann at Sotheby's Geneva, 9 November 1987, lot 225. A further example was sold anonymously in these Rooms, 5 October 1981, lot 194.