A PAIR OF MEISSEN INDIAN RING-NECKED PARAKEETS CIRCA 1741

modelled by Johann Joachim Kändler, each perched on the stump of a cherry tree applied with fruit, various insects and flowering vines, one eating a lump of sugar.

Baroness Renée de Becker-Remy, New York
Mrs. Charles Wrightsman, New York

Carl Christian Dauterman, The Wrightsman Collection, Volume IV, pp. 48-49, cat nos. 17A and B

Please note that the pair of parakeets are assembled; however, they are a close match. The bird with the lump of sugar: the bird has been broken, where the body of the bird meets the stump and restored with a riveted repair and some overpainting. His tail feathers are broken diagonally from about midway downwards to the tip of the tail and restored. There is some minor restoration to the talon holding the lump of sugar. The other bird: Tail feather are broken across beneath the wing tips and restored. There is minor restoration to the tips of the wings. Both branches have been broken from the stump and restored back. One claw of the parakeet has been broken off, but is retained. There are some chips, losses and restoration to the applied flowers and leaves and some minor occasional spots of flaking to the enamels.
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.

Kändler's work records list his working on models of these parakeets in June of 1741: "Vor Ihro Excellenz die Frau Gräfin Von Moschinska einen Indianischen Vogel in Ziemlicher Größe in dero Logis nach dem Leben in Thon poussiret, und solche gestalt vorgestellet wie er auf einem Kirsch Ast sietzet und ein Stücklein Zucker aus der Pfote frißt" ("For her Excellency the Countess Moschinska an Indian bird of suitable size, modelled  from life in clay at her residence, and presented sitting on a cherry bough, eating a little lump of sugar clasped in his claw").

Similar pairs are illustrated by Carl Albiker, Die Meissen Porzellantiere, (1935 edition), pl. XXVI, no. 89, and by Carl Christian Dauterman, The Wrightsman Collection, Volume IV, p. 45 and 47, cat nos. 16A, B, recently sold in these rooms, Property from the Collections of Lily & Edmond J. Safra, October 19, 2011, lot 758.

Examples of the parakeet with the lump of sugar are illustrated by Carl Albiker, op. cit., (1959 edition), no. 101; by Karl Berling, Meissen China, An Illustrated History, Table 4, no. 2; and by Yvonne Hackebroch, Meissen and Other Continental Porcelain, Faïence and Enamel in the Irwin Untermyer Collection, pl. 8, fig. 7. An example of the other model is illustrated in the Catalogue of the Collection of Frau Emma Budge, sold by Paul Graupe, Berlin, on September 29, 1937, pl. 121, lot 770. Further examples of both models are illustrated by Gerhard Röbbig, ed., Kabinettstücke, Die Meissener Porzellanvögel von Johann Joachim Kändler 1706-1775, pp. 126-29, nos. 19 and 20, and p. 130, no. 21.