Lot Essay
The present set of vases representing The Elements are after those modelled by Johann Joachim Kaendler in 1741.
Details
A SET OF FOUR MEISSEN PORCELAIN EWERS EMBLEMATIC OF THE ELEMENTS
After the models by Johann Joachim Kaendler, late 19th Century
Each with a shaped lip and bulbous body with raised decoration and applied figures, on an oval spreading foot: Earth, with lip and foot moulded to the underside with oak-leaves and with a tied corn-sheaf handle surmounted by a basket-bearing putto, the body painted with a mountainous landscape and raised with hounds hunting wild animals, a figure of a huntress seated on the shoulder and a panpipe-playing faun to the side; Wind, with lip and foot moulded with multi-coloured feathers, with a billowing drapery handle surmounted by pipe-blowing putti and with a youthful zephyr at its base, the body raised with clouds, flying birds and, the figure of Juno seated on the shoulder, accompanied by her peacock; Fire, with foliate-moulded lip and foot, with dragon handle surmounted by a fire-carrying putto, the body raised with an erupting volcano and wild animals fleeing from a forest fire, a figure of Vulcan carrying bellows seated on the shoulder and a fire-bearing maiden to the side; Water, with shell and reed-moulded lip and foot, the handle in the form of tied rushes, the body raised with a turquoise ocean with galleons and hippocampi, a figure of Neptune seated on the shoulder, a nereid to the side, each with blue cross swords mark to the underside, minor losses
25¾in. to 26¾in. (65.3cm. to 68cm.) high (4)
After the models by Johann Joachim Kaendler, late 19th Century
Each with a shaped lip and bulbous body with raised decoration and applied figures, on an oval spreading foot: Earth, with lip and foot moulded to the underside with oak-leaves and with a tied corn-sheaf handle surmounted by a basket-bearing putto, the body painted with a mountainous landscape and raised with hounds hunting wild animals, a figure of a huntress seated on the shoulder and a panpipe-playing faun to the side; Wind, with lip and foot moulded with multi-coloured feathers, with a billowing drapery handle surmounted by pipe-blowing putti and with a youthful zephyr at its base, the body raised with clouds, flying birds and, the figure of Juno seated on the shoulder, accompanied by her peacock; Fire, with foliate-moulded lip and foot, with dragon handle surmounted by a fire-carrying putto, the body raised with an erupting volcano and wild animals fleeing from a forest fire, a figure of Vulcan carrying bellows seated on the shoulder and a fire-bearing maiden to the side; Water, with shell and reed-moulded lip and foot, the handle in the form of tied rushes, the body raised with a turquoise ocean with galleons and hippocampi, a figure of Neptune seated on the shoulder, a nereid to the side, each with blue cross swords mark to the underside, minor losses
25¾in. to 26¾in. (65.3cm. to 68cm.) high (4)