Two Meissen porcelain figures of Jays circa 1740-45

modelled by Johann Joachim Kändler, each perched on a high stump, one applied with a smaller bird seated on a nest; the other applied with a large squirrel and a stag beetle, the latter with crossed swords mark in underglaze-blue. Some chips, losses and restoration.

Jays (Eichelhänen) were first modelled by Kändler for the Japanese Palace in 1735. Further entries for both jays and rollers appear in Kändler's work records for 1739 and 1740. These entries are cited in full by Carl Albiker, Die Meissner Porzellantiere (1959), pp. 14 and 15. Three refer to figures of jays with squirrels and three mention the birds alone. Examples of jays (usually colored in blue and black) and rollers are illustrated by Rainer Rückert, Meissener Porzellan, pl. 272, nos. 1108-1111. A similarly decorated large pair of jays was in the Engelhard Collection, sold at Christie's, New York, March 18, 2005, lot 38; and another was in the Collection of Laurance S. Rockefeller, sold in these rooms, October 11, 2005, lot 192.