A Meissen group of a Sultan riding an elephant Late 18th Century

modelled by J. J. Kändler and P. Reinicke, the elephant standing to the right with trunk curled, the Sultan seated on a turquoise cushion, wearing a jewelled white turban, short sleeved puce coat over a yellow tunic with purple dots, orange pantaloons and shoes, a moor seated on the elephants neck holding a driving stick, inked inventory number 923 twice (minor restoration)

Property of the late Ivan Traugott of Stockholm, Sotheby’s London, 3rd December 1957, lot 154
Sotheby's London, 23rd June 1992, lot 144

Feather in sultan's turban lacking. Restoration to orb held in left hand.Restoration to sultan's left arm and hand. Restoration to blackamoor's stick. Restoration to six tassels, one of which has a small triangular chip to the area of restoration surrounding it. Minor nick to one toe of elephant.
"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 work records of March 1741 record: 'Einem großen Elphanten' [one large elephant]; and Reinicke's of November 1743 list: '1 Elephanten 9 Zoll hoch mit einer verzeiten Decke uberhanged, in Thon bossirt.' [modelled in clay 1 elephant 9 Zoll high with an ornate blanket overhanging.] Lazare-Duvaux provided an example on 4th January 1752 to Mgr Le Duc de Beauvilliers (Lazare-Duvaux, no. 1007). A similar example is illustrated by Albiker (1959), no. 255, and for the two in the Ansbach Residenz, see Rückert (1966), pl. 263, nos. 1060 and 1061.