Lot Essay
Cf. K. Berling, Meissen China, an illustrated history (New York 1972), p.34 and 37 ill.58-59 for 18th century examples of vases allegorical of Water and Air.
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SECOND HALF 19TH CENTURY, MARKED WITH UNDERGLAZE BLUE CROSSED SWORDS AND VARIOUS NUMERALS
Details
A garniture of four very large Meissen vases allegorical of the Four Elements
Second half 19th century, marked with underglaze blue crossed swords and various numerals
Inspired by the original models by Johann Joachim Kaendler (circa 1750), gilt and painted in colours, the covered vases all of baluster shape on high waisted foot, Earth moulded naturalistically with moss-covered rockwork and branches, applied with monkeys, a lion, a fox and an eagle, the foot decorated with rocaille scrolls; Wind with a basket-woven body decorated with feathers and a windmill, applied with a perched bird, the cover en suite with high clouds, the foot decorated with a large putto blowing and holding a pair of bellows; Fire with a strapped harness of twisted ropes belching flames, applied with a dragon and a large rocaille scroll, the cover decorated en suite, the rocaille foot decorated with a large putto; the pierced body of the Water vase modelled as a large fyke with high flaring neck made out of thin brown ropes, applied with reed, the foot decorated with water and fish and with a putto catching fish in his net (various damages and restorations, a multitude of fragments kept aside)
Circa 80cm. high
See illustration (4)
Second half 19th century, marked with underglaze blue crossed swords and various numerals
Inspired by the original models by Johann Joachim Kaendler (circa 1750), gilt and painted in colours, the covered vases all of baluster shape on high waisted foot, Earth moulded naturalistically with moss-covered rockwork and branches, applied with monkeys, a lion, a fox and an eagle, the foot decorated with rocaille scrolls; Wind with a basket-woven body decorated with feathers and a windmill, applied with a perched bird, the cover en suite with high clouds, the foot decorated with a large putto blowing and holding a pair of bellows; Fire with a strapped harness of twisted ropes belching flames, applied with a dragon and a large rocaille scroll, the cover decorated en suite, the rocaille foot decorated with a large putto; the pierced body of the Water vase modelled as a large fyke with high flaring neck made out of thin brown ropes, applied with reed, the foot decorated with water and fish and with a putto catching fish in his net (various damages and restorations, a multitude of fragments kept aside)
Circa 80cm. high
See illustration (4)
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