A set of four Meissen allegorical figure groups representing the four seasons, on gilt-bronze three-light candelabra, the porcelain circa 1755-60, the mounts late 19th century

modelled by J.J. Kändler, each as a god and goddess flanking a small medallion among beds of clouds, affixed on scrollwork pedestal bases, comprising:
Spring as Venus, Cupid and Mars, with cartouches of couples playing board games and walking through gardens, the base applied with flowering vine;
Summer as Apollo and Minerva, with cartouches of couples inspecting the summer harvest, the base applied with sheaths of wheat;
Autumn as Bacchus and Diana with a putti holding a wreath to the reverse, with cartouches of figures hunting and picking grapes, the base applied with grapevine;
and Winter as Juventas and Saturn, with cartouches of figures skating on ice, the base applied with icicles, crossed swords marks in underglaze-blue, the mounts formally fitted for electricity,

Related Literature
U. Pietsch, Die Arbeitsberichte des Meissener Porzellanmodelleurs Johann Joachim Kaendler 1706-1775, Leipzig, 2002, p. 126-127;
Samuel Wittwer, 'Friedrich der Große und das Meißener Porzellan', in Keramos, 208, 2010, pp. 36-37;
U. Pietsch and C. Banz (ed.), Triumph of the Blue Swords, Leipzig, 2010, pp. 349-350, no. 414;
C. Bremer-David, Woven Gold: Tapestries of Louis XIV, Los Angeles: J. Paul Getty Museum, 2015, pp. 98-99.

For models of this complexity the overall condition of Spring, Summer and Autumn is good with some typical subtle and sympathetic repairs to extremities listed below: Spring: Venus's right hand and left foot, Mars's neck and sword. Summer: Apollo's left arm, the top of his quiver, re-touching at his knees, two hairline cracks to clouds, top edge of medallion, Minerva's staff, some chipping to footrim, the model is slightly loose on base section. Autumn: top edge of medallion frame, Bacchus' lower left leg, spout of jug, putto's left foot, a chip to Diana's cloak. Winter: There is old restoration to most areas of the model which has discoloured slightly and it is difficult to determine true extent of damage. Otherwise minute chips and touch ups to applied flowers and leaves. The models could benefit from a light cleaning. The gilt-bronze mounts have been fitted for electricity and the socles therefore have been drilled. They display a uniform level of tarnishing and oxidisation in places. One mount has four missing minor elements, another has two missing elements, and a third mount has one missing element. Minor splits throughout the four mounts and old re-touching to gilding.
"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."

These exceptional models were first conceived by Kändler in September 1755 for Augustus III, Elector of Saxony and King of Poland, and are meticulously described in the Master Modeller's Taxa or work record for that month, reproduced by Pietsch, op. cit., 2002. The models closely follow the series of four tapestries representing the Seasons designed by Charles Le Brun (1619-1690), First Painter of the King to Louis XIV, in the mid-1660s, which were produced for the use of the King by the Royal Manufactory of the Crown at the Gobelins. The surviving tapestry representing Autumn is published by Bremer-David, op. cit., where the series is discussed.

Individual models from this series have appeared infrequently at auction though it is very rare to find a set of four 18th century examples of this series. For four other examples in Potsdam and the Palazzo Pitti, Florence see U. Pietsch and C. Banz, op. cit. A set of four from the H. J. King collection was sold at Christie's London, 7th-8th July 1908.