A pair of gilt-bronze mounted Meissen figures of a Persian and companion, the mounts Louis XV mid-18th century, the porcelain circa 1748-50

modelled by J.J. Kändler and P. Reinicke, the male figure wearing a turban, a puce lined cloak and yellow slippers, holding a scabbard, the companion wearing a complementing costume and headdress, each painted with scattered sprays of indianische Blumen, standing on rockwork bases applied with flowers, crossed swords marks in underglaze-blue to rear of bases, each mounted on a gilt-bronze scrollwork base with leafy branches applied with porcelain flowers and three foliate sconces,

Comparative Literature

Siegfried Ducret, Vorbilder Für Porzellanmalereien, Keramos 44, 1969, pp. 12-41

Female figure: The figure is in good condition, there is some restoration around the edge of the base and to the applied leaves. Male figure: Head cleanly re-stuck at neck, left arm restored at shoulder, left thumb and index finger restored. Hairline crack to pointed tip of head of scabbard. One tip of cross guard of sword at his side restored. Section of base restored. Typical restoration and chips to applied leaves on base. The applied flowers to both mounts have typical minor chips.
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

The figures are taken from engravings in Le Hay and Charles de Ferriol's Recueil de cent estampes representant differentes nations du Levant, gravees sur les tableaux peints d'apres nature en 1707 & 1708 par l'ordre de M. de Ferriol, Ambassadeur du Roi a la Porte; et mis au jour en 1712 & 1713 par les soins de M. Le Hay, published in Nuremberg in 1719,

The engravings were commissioned by Comte Charles de Ferriol, French Ambassador to the Porte from 1699 to 1709. The present models are after plate 90, entitled 'Persan' and plate 91, 'Femme Persienne', engraved by Gérard Jean-Baptiste Scotin (1698-after 1755) after drawings by the Flemish artist J.B van Mour.

A pair of these models was in the collection of Gustav and Charlotte von Klemperer, Dresden, published by L. Schnorr von Carolsfeld in the collection catalogue, 1928, nos. 534 and 535, pl. 66; A further pair along with other known examples are published by Dr. Erika Pauls-Eisenbeiss, German Porcelain of the 18th century, 1972, Vol. I, pp. 104-105.