An assembled pair of Meissen figures of jays circa 1740-45

modelled by J. J. Kändler, each bird with bold blue, black, red and white markings, perched on a high stump applied with oak leaves and acorns, one with a red squirrel balanced on a lower branch, the other with a beetle and three juicy caterpillars approaching, the squirrel example with crossed swords mark in underglaze-blue (some chips and restoration)

William Redford, London, 5th July 1982

one with typical chips and restoration to applied leaves, the other with repairs to the squirrel and a crack to the stump, minor chip to breast extended to minute hair crack, leaves chipped,
"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 Jays and Rollers are closely similar birds, with the main differences expressed in the tree settings and, of course, the colouration of the birds. The models also differ in size, with the larger figures usually coloured as Jays.

Both were first modelled in examples for the Japanese Palace in 1735, with further entries for both types in Kändler's work records for 1739 and 1740. For all these later entries, see Albiker (1959), pp. 14 and 15.

A pair of jays was displayed in Clemens August's Crönungs-Saal according to the Schloss Poppelsdorf inventory: 'Noch ein paar Markolfen aufm Baum mit einem Eichhörngen' [Another pair of jays on a tree with a squirrel], see Erich Köllmann, 'Kurfürst Clemens August von Köln Ein Porzellansammler des 18. Jahrhunderts', Keramos 13 (1961), p. 26. 

Similar large pairs of jays were offered at Sotheby's, 15th April 1997, lot 85; from the Engelhard collection, Christie's New York, 18th March 2005, lot 38; and in the Rockefeller sale, Sotheby's New York, 11th October 2005, lot 112.