Sophie von der Goltz
Head of Sale
Lot 40
Two Meissen large models of white lions, circa 1747-50
7 – 8 July 2022, 14:00 BST
London, New Bond StreetSold for £22,950 inc. premium
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Sebastian Kuhn
Department Director
Nette Megens
Head of Department, Director
Two Meissen large models of white lions, circa 1747-50
Modelled by J.J. Kaendler, seated with the right paw and head raised, the bases applied with leaves, flowers and mushrooms, 18cm high; 22cm across, faint traces of crossed swords marks in blue, (some typical chips to teeth, tongues and leaves) (2)
Footnotes
The model is recorded by Kaendler in his work records for March 1747: '1 großen Löwen im Modell zerschnitten mit dem Reichsapfel in der Klaue, und selbigen weiter in Porcellain zu fertigen gefördert' [1 large lion carved with the Imperial orb in its claws and passed on to be made in porcelain].
Possibly modelled for one of the two weddings in June 1747 of children of Augustus III into the Bavarian royal family: the first, on 13 June 1747, was between Maria Anna of Saxony and the Elector Max Emmanuel of Bavaria; the second was between Crown Prince Friedrich Christian of Saxony and Maria Antonia of Bavaria. A painted example with the right paw resting on a blue and jewelled Imperial orb was offered for sale by Sothebys London, 22 May 2019, lot 434.
