A rare Ludwigsburg figure of a cockatoo circa 1765

modelled perched on a tree branch from which cherries are suspended, raised on a rococo scroll base, crowned interlaced C's in underglaze-blue, incised L / Z : C and N: 59. 

Karl Eugen, Duke of Württemberg, Stuttgart
Collection of Otto and Magdalena Blohm, Hamburg
The Lesley and Emma Sheafer Collection, Bequest of Emma A. Sheafer, 1973

Robert Schmidt, Early European Porcelain as collected by Otto Blohm, New York, 1953, pl. 77, cat. nos. 287 - 8, left

There is a minuscule flat chip to the edge of its crest. There are chips, restored chips or losses to the applied leaves. One of the cherries is restored. The edge of the branch, upon which the bird is perched has chipped and has been glued back. There is an approximate 2 inch long area on edge of the base below the bird's tail that is restored and another larger restored area along the edge of the base, possibly covering a haircrack or chip/s; the restoration is old and has turned yellow obscuring the exact nature of the damage.
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.

A similar cockatoo figure and a pair, each with a purple crest, are illustrated in Hans Christ, Ludwigsburger Porzellanfiguren, pl. 31, and in Leo Ballet, Ludwigsburger Porzellan, cat. nos 97 and 98, respectively, where both authors catalogue the figures as modelled by Johann Jacob Louis. Robert Schmidt, however, disputes this attribution in Early European Porcelain as collected by Otto Blohm, pp. 193 and 194, where he refers to the studies done by Dr. Hans Heinz Josten's on Ludwigsburg modellers and states that "Josten considers the charming pair of cockatoos to be unquestionably the work of (Wilhelm) Beyer (about 1765), in spite of the incised L which Leo Balet takes to stand for Johann Jakob Louis; the latter, however, was only a 'Poussier' (repairer), not a modeller or sculptor."
A cuckatoo figure with a purple crest, from the collection of Mrs. Charles E. Dunlap, was sold at Sotheby Parke Bernet, December 3, 1975, lot 274 (sold for $26,000).