A rare Meissen model of a peacock circa 1730-35

after a Chinese original, standing with its head turned to the rear, the plumage painted in shades of brown, green, black, purple, yellow and blue, the base shaded in green and yellow, the brown tree-stump support with a yellow top and green stump to the side

The Erich von Goldschmidt-Rothschild Collection, Berlin;
his sale, Ball & Graupe, Berlin, 25th March 1931, lot 449 (part)

For a discussion of this rare model, see R. Rückert, 'Alchemistische Symbolzeichen als Meissener Masse-, Former-, Bossirer- und Drehermarken im vierten Jahrzehnt des 18. Jahrhunderts', in Keramos, 151, January 1996, pp.86-88. The peacocks are first mentioned in a specification of porcelain ordered around 1733 for the King of Sweden, which includes under 'Stücken mit alt Japan: Mahlerey [pieces with old Japanese painting]', 'Pfauen groß, Detto kleine [peacocks large, ditto small]' among the few figures. The standing peacock remained in production until at least 1737, when it is listed among 'birds, eagles, hens, peacocks and similar feathered beasts' delivered to and sold from the Dresden warehouse. Another example of this model in the Kocher Collection, Bernisches Historisches Museum, Bern, is illustrated by Rückert, op.cit., p.87, ill.10.