A RARE MEISSEN PORCELAIN ORMOLU-MOUNTED FIGURE OF A PEACOCK THE PORCELAIN CIRCA 1730, THE ORMOLU CIRCA 1740

modelled by Georg Fritzsche and brightly painted in a Kakiemon-style palette, the bird standing before a hollow tree stump with its head turned and tail closed on a low mound, mounted on a shaped rectangular base applied with two salamanders, a snake, a bird and a flower sprig.

Christie's London, February 24, 1997, lot 273

Please note: The porcelain has not been examined beneath the mount. The visible porcelain is in generally good condition.
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.

While the palette of the present example clearly indicates a Japanese inspiration, it is difficult to say whether the original source for this model was actually Japanese or Chinese. A late 17th century Japanese figure of a cockerel is illustrated by John Ayers, Oliver Impey and J. V. G. Mallet, Porcelain for Palaces, The Fashion for Japan in Europe, p. 184, no. 169, which exhibits somewhat similar characteristics in modelling and coloring as the present example. However, very similar figures of peacocks and cranes exist in Chinese blanc-de-chine, examples of which are illustrated by Robert H. Blumenfeld, Blanc de Chine, The Great Porcelain of Dehua, p. 88 and by P. J. Donnelly, Blanc de Chine, pl. 112b. An early 18th century Chinese blanc-de-chine figure of a peacock, one of a pair almost identically modelled to the present Meissen example, was in the collection of Mildred R. and Rafi Y. Mottahedeh, sold in these rooms, October 19, 2000, lot 373 (see accompanying illustration). A similar Meissen peacock from the Collection of Siegfried and Lola Kamarsky was sold at Christie's October 30, 1993, lot 25.