An assembled pair of rare Meissen figures of a cock and hen circa 1742-50

modelled by J. J. Kändler, facing to the right or left, the cock with iron-red comb and wattles, the body, wings and tail picked out in pale brown and grey, the hen with iron-red wattles, brown crest and markings, each standing astride a rocky mound base applied with flowers and leaves, crossed swords marks in underglaze-blue (cock with some restoration to tail feathers, some chips)

Christie's London, 6th October 1996, lot 470

The cockerel with some restoration to tail feathers, beak, crest and comb. Some chips to flowers and leaves on both.
"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. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

Kändler's after-hours work report for July and August 1741 records: '11. Einen Hauss Hahn. 12. Eine Henne.' [11. A domestic cockerel. 12. A hen.]. His work records for December 1742 then list 'Einen Hahn und eine Henne Von feiner Größe, Welche Vor die Gräfin Heerfort bestellet Worden, gehöriger masen Zerschnitten und Zum abformen gegeben' [One cockerel and one hen of fine size, which were ordered for the Countess of Hertford, cut to the appropriate size and given over for casting.].

The Taxa for 1740-48 lists '1 ordentlicher Hausshahn, Krähender vorgestellert'...3Thlr' [1 proper domestic cockerel, presented crowing...3Thlr]

A pair of these rare models was sold at Sotheby's 5th December 1950, lot 41, while a single figure of the cockerel, mounted in ormolu with a clock, from the von Pannwitz and Budge collections, was sold at Sotheby's, 28th February 1961, lot 79.

Pairs were also sold from the collection of Mr and Mrs Claus von Bülow, Sotheby's New York, 28th October 1988, lot 137; at Christie's London, 7th October 1996, lot 470; and from the Rockefeller sale, Sotheby's New York, 11th October, 2005, lot 202.