Lot Essay
The European goldfinch was known in the 18th century by two names: Distelfink (Thistle finch) and Stieglitz (Goldfinch) and it appears Kändler modelled several versions of this bird, which were referred to by both names in the records. Kändler's workbooks record him modelling what he refers to as a 'Distelfinken' in September/October 1740, in September 1741 and again, with Reinecke, in October 1747. In the same month and year Kändler records '14. Einen Stieglitz nach dem Leben poussiert...15. Noch einen darzu gehörigen Stieglitz gegen diesen zu setzen Welcher eine andere action hat' (14. A goldfinch modelld from the life...15. Another goldfinch as a pair, performing a different action). A similar pair of goldfinches are illustrated by Rainer Rückert, Meissener Porzellan, Munich, 1966, nos. 1113 and 1114.