- 760
A RARE PAIR OF MEISSEN ORMOLU-MOUNTED FIGURES OF MAGPIES THE PORCELAIN CIRCA 1735, THE ORMOLU MID 18TH CENTURY BUT ASSOCIATED
Estimate
60,000 - 90,000 USD
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Description
- porcelain, gilt-bronze
- height of porcelain 20 7/8 in. and 21 1/8 in; heights overall 22 5/8 in. and 23 1/8 in.
- 53 cm and 53.7 cm; 57.5 cm and 58.7 cm
modelled by Johann Joachim Kändler, each its with tail raised and beak open, perched on a leafy tree stump, and mounted on a square ormolu foliate scrollwork base.
Provenance
Christie's, New York, The Collection of Elinor Dorrance Ingersoll, November 11, 1977, lot 63
Condition
Please note that the porcelain has not been inspected beneath the mounts.
Bird on the left in the catalogue illustration: Tail and wing tips broken; restored; beak restored; head oversprayed; some restoration to one leg and talon; typical chips and restoration to leaves.
Bird on the right in the catalogue illustration: Tail and both wing tips are restored; beak restored. Extensive restoration to applied leaves.
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.
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.
Catalogue Note
Originally intended for the Japanese Palace, Kändler's work records list his working on this model as early as February, 1733, "Eine Aelster in Lebengröße". (A Magpie in Lifesize."). Samuel Wittwer notes in The Gallery of Meissen Animals, p. 344, that six enamelled magpies were delivered to the Palace in October and November of 1733 and by March, 1736 there were nineteen in the Palace's inventory. A similar pair is illustrated by Carl Albiker, Die Meissener Porzellantiere, pl. XX, nos. 60 and 61; and a single example by Rainer Rückert, Meissener Porzellan, p. 271, no. 1105.