A pair of Meissen models of a lion and lioness Circa 1748

modelled by J. J. Kändler, in recumbent poses to the left and right, looking upwards with mouths open to reveal fangs and protruding red tongues, each with a finely detailed  light brown coat, black nose and eyes, later giltwood bases, crossed swords marks in underglaze-blue (minor damage)

Christie's London, 29th November 1976, lot 231

London, Asprey, nos. 12A and B

LIon- slice chip to left claw on left front paw.Minor nicks to other claws. Lioness- haircrack to tail.Minor nicks to claws
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Several figures of lions in various poses and in different sizes were modelled at the factory, many after pattern-book sheets held by the factory (see fig. 2). A figure of a lion was modelled as a sugar-paste table decoration for the Anna-Fest held at Schloss Moritzburg in July 1738 (see fig. 2). Kirchner modelled a large figure of a lion and lioness in porcelain for the Japanese Palace in 1732-1733, see Albiker (1959), figs. 8 and 9. Kändler then modelled in January 1741 '1 Löwen von mittelmäßiger Größe mit offenem Rachen' [1 lion of medium size with open jaws], probably the model he made for the King listed in his Taxa, 1740-1744,  '1 Löwe, mittelmäßiger Größe, liegend mit offenen Rachen, vor Ihre Konigl. Maj.'  [1 lion, medium size, recumbent with open jaws, for his Royal Majesty]. In November 1748 he modelled another pair for the Queen after Nature, listed in his work records as follows: '2. Vor Ihro Majt. die Königin Einen großen Löwen Modelliret. Es ist selbiger liegend Zugleich prillend nach der Natur aufs beste Vorgestellet' [2. For her Royal Majesty, the Queen, modelled a large lionness. It is similarly recumbent and splendidly represented after nature.] and '3. Eine Löwin Welche dar Zu gehörest Von Eben solcher größe Welche gleichsam prillend und ligend aufs beste nach der Natur Vorgestellet est.' [3. 1 lion belonging to the preceding, of comparable size, similarly recumbent and splendidly represented after nature.]. These two 1748 entries relate directly to the present examples.

At the same time, Eberlein made other models of lions November 1744 and December 1744, as follows: '2 Löwen zum Uhren-Gehäuse für Ihro Königl. Majt. verfertiget.' [Completed 2 lions for clockcases for his Royal Majesty.] and '1 Löwen und Löwin auf das Waaren Lager angefangen' [Started 1 lion and lioness for the warehouse].

A large number of lions in various sizes are recorded in the various Conditorei inventories: twenty-one white and painted models in the Dresden Conditorei inventory (1733-48); three in the Dresden Conditorei inventory (1752), and twelve in the Warsaw Conditorei inventory (1750); the Brühl's inventory (1753), also included seventeen models. See Kunze-Köllensperger (1999), cat. 83, 84 and 87.

Pairs similar to the present examples are illustrated by Albiker (1959), nos 159 and 160, and by Charleston (1971), pp. 170-73, no. 59.