An Assembled Pair of Meissen Figures of Parrots, Circa 1740
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Property of a Private West Coast Collector
An Assembled Pair of Meissen Figures of Parrots, Circa 1740
painted with green or grey plumage with red wing and tail feathers, perched on low stumps applied with pale turquoise leaves, the grey parrot's base with berries and mushrooms, crossed swords marks in underglaze-blue, one with impressed numeral 15
height of tallest 7 7/8 in.
20 cm.
The green parrot, with restoration to three of the applied leaves on base. A small color-filled flat chip to top edge of tail feathers. Two talon tips on its left foot restored, otherwise in good condition. The grey parrot, a restored chip to edge of right wing feather tips. A talon on left foot, and leaves restored. A small area of restoration to base located under mushrooms. Mushrooms are intact. Overall good appearance.
The lot is sold in the condition it is in at the time of sale. The condition report is provided to assist you with assessing the condition of the lot and is for guidance only. Any reference to condition in the condition report for the lot does not amount to a full description of condition. The images of the lot form part of the condition report for the lot. Certain images of the lot provided online may not accurately reflect the actual condition of the lot. In particular, the online images may represent colors and shades which are different to the lot's actual color and shades. The condition report for the lot may make reference to particular imperfections of the lot but you should note that the lot may have other faults not expressly referred to in the condition report for the lot or shown in the online images of the lot. The condition report may not refer to all faults, restoration, alteration or adaptation. The condition report is a statement of opinion only. For that reason, the condition report is not an alternative to taking your own professional advice regarding the condition of the lot. NOTWITHSTANDING THIS ONLINE CONDITION REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD "AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF SALE/BUSINESS APPLICABLE TO THE RESPECTIVE SALE.
Collected by the Uncle of the present owner
In May-October 1740, Kändler modelled new figures of parrots to match the ones already in the warehouse, 'in considerable size', i.e. 19 cm:
'1: Einen Pappagoy in Thon poußiret große Sorte Vor Mons. Huiet. Daß solcher gegen den ehemals Von mir gefertigeten Pappagoy siehet.', [Modelled a large parrot in clay for Mons. Huet (Jean-Charles Huet, marchand-mercier). That this one is looking against the former model completed by me.]
'3: Zwey Pappagoyen Von Ziemlicher Größe auf einem großen Ast sietzend in Thon Poußiret Vor Mons. Huiet. Zwar daß solche gegen einander sehen.', [3: modelled in clay two parrots of suitable size, seated on a big branch for Mons. Huet. Namely, they are facing each other.]
'2. Zwey Pappagoyen Von Ziemlicher Größe aufs Waaren Laager in Thon poußiret und Sauberes Belege Zu deßen postamente gefertiget. Von zweyerley Arth.', [2: modelled in clay two parrots of suitable size for the warehouse and completed clean supports for their pedestals. Of two types.]
The lack of description seems to indicate that these birds were a generic type of parrot modelled by Kändler, as opposed to the Indian parrots or cockatoos modelled after life.