A large pair of gilt-bronze mounted Meissen models of swans, the porcelain circa 1750, the gilt-bronze mounts Louis XV, circa 1750

modelled by J. J. Kändler, in naturalistic poses facing to their left and right, sat among reeds picked out in green upon small mossy mound bases, crossed swords marks in underglaze-blue to rear of bases, the pierced gilt-bronze cast with c-scrolls and foliage,

The Estate of Sarah Jane Pansa, sold Sotheby Parke Bernet, 8th November 1985, lot 144 ($71,500).

A. L. den Blaauwen, Meissen porcelain in the Rijkmuseum, Amsterdam, 2000, p. 417, mentioned.

One swan is in good condition with only a minor chip to one of the reeds and some minute flakes to enamels. The model is separate from bronze mount with visible adhesive material to the underside of the base. The other model is fixed to bronze mount and is un-detachable. Prior to going on view the swan had excess traces of discoloured over-paint which was removed by a restorer, which revealed that there is restoration around the base of the neck, the lower half of the left wing and some restoration or re-touching to the tip of the beak. Some of the reeds have been restored and enamels re-touched. To the bronze mounts there is some light tarnishing to gilding and some light re-touching to gilding, one with a faint secure crack.
"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 present models depict the 'Cygnus olor', or mute swan that is native to Europe and Asia. Swans of this type were made in varying sizes, of which the present pair is the second largest. The models are first mentioned in the factory records of November 1747, produced with the assistance of Peter Reinicke and were probably not completed until 1748. These models see a return to theme of Swans almost ten years after work began on the celebrated Swan Service ordered for the use of Count Heinrich von Brühl, Director of the Meissen factory in 1736. Meissen Swans were immensely popular with the French Aristocracy and Nobility in the mid-eighteenth century, and as such provided a lucrative business for the Parisian marchand-merciers, for example 'Cygnes' and 'Cygnes de Saxe' feature twelve times in the Livre-Journal of the marchand-mercier Lazare-Duvaux, the first recorded in February 1749.