A pair of Meissen figures of parrots the porcelain circa 1740, the decoration later

each probably modelled by Johann Joachim Kändler, with head slightly turned, perched on tree stump applied with leaves with, one holding a purple cherry in its beak, crossed swords mark in underglaze-blue, incised numeral 37.

The Lesley and Emma Sheafer Collection, Bequest of Emma A. Sheafer, 1973

Sotheby's Scientific Research department used noninvasive XRF for this lot to screen the green enamel for chromium, which was detected. Both with some occasional and minor flaking to the green and yellow enamels. Both birds have small chips or restored chips to the tips of nails on the talons. The one with the cherry has restoration to both tips of wings and its tail. There is an approximate 1-inch shallow chip along the side of its right wing. There is additionally a small chip to the edge of one leaf and an approximate 1/2-inch flat chip to the edge of the base.
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.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING CONDITION OF A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD "AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF SALE PRINTED IN THE CATALOGUE.

Parrots were among the factory's most frequently produced bird figures. According to Gerhard Röbbig in Cabinet pieces, The Meissen Porcelain birds of Johann Joachim Kändler 1706-1775, p. 120, an inventory of the factory warehouse reveals that 61 out of a total of 173 birds were parrots. While other species of birds were usually only of a single size, parrots were modelled in different sizes: soon after the life-size parrots for the Japanese Palace, Kändler created, in July 1735, two small parrots (12cm tall). Then, in spite of no further mention in his records, the following pieces are noted in the Dresden stockroom listing of porcelain for Count von Brühl dated July 13, 1737: '1 Pappagey groß / 3 ditto mittle. / 1 D. keiner' [1 parrot large / 1 ditto medium / 1 ditto small], ibid, p. 128.

In May-October 1740, Kändler made three entries about his modelling of new figures of parrots to match the ones already in the warehouse, 'in considerable size', ie. 19cm, slightly taller than the size of the present models

The lack of description in the entries seems to indicate that these birds were a generic type of parrot modelled by Kändler, as opposed to the Indian parrots or cockatoos modelled after life. The large number of entries related to parrot figures as well as the fact that some models were worked over by Eberlein make it difficult to precisely date and attribute the modeller of the present example.

Sotheby's Scientific Research department used noninvasive XRF for this lot to screen the green enamel for chromium, which was detected.