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A Meissen porcelain figure of a Sultan riding on an elephant,…
Sale Title:
Auction House:
Auction Location:
Sydney
Date:
30-May-2023
Lot No.
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Description:
A Meissen porcelain figure of a Sultan riding on an elephant, circa 1745, modelled by P.J. Reinicke and J.J. Kaendler, the sultan sitting on a patterned cushion and tasselled bolster, wearing a jewelled turban and gilt highlighted purple robe, holding a mace, on a gilt scrolled saddle cloth with tassels, his coloured mahout seated on the elephant's head holding a hammer, blue crossed swords mark in underglaze blue to underside, width 28.5 cm. Provenance: Christie's London, Continental ceramics. The Property of a Gentleman. 7 July 2003, lot 116, Exhibitions: Museum fur Kunst und Gewerbe Hamburg, 4th June - 5th September 1982. Literature: Jedding, H, 'Meissener Porzellan des 18. Jahrhunderts in Hamburger Privatbesitz' exhibition catalogue, Hamburg, 1982, p. 210, no. 221 and col. Pl. XIII. Other Notes: for another similar model in the Dresden Porzellansammlung, see: Albiker, C, die Meissner Porzellantiere, Berlin, 1959, no. 255, and for two others in the Ansbach Residenz, see Rukert, R, 'Meissener Porzellan 1710-1810', Munich, 1966, nos. 1060 and 1061, the burgeoning fashion for all things exotic and Oriental in Europe in the 17th century ensured the importation of models of elephants from china and Japan, executed in various media, including porcelain. Two Kakiemon models of standing elephants with trunks raised are recorded at Burghley house, Lincolnshire, in the 17th century, another, mounted as a clock, is in the Munich Residenz, and a fourth is the Dresden Porzellansammlung (see Ayers, J., Impey, O., mallet, J. Et. Al, 'Porcelain for Palaces, the fashion for Japan in Europe 1650-1750', British Museum exhibition catalogue London, 1990, nos. 147 and 160). These elephants are slightly peculiar-looking creatures, modelled with rather creased trunks, almond shaped eyes and humanoid ears, wearing elaborately-decorated saddle-cloths across their backs. The most signficant porcelain decorator at Meissen, J. G. Horoldt, must have been familiar with such depictions as evidenced in his sketchbook.
Estimate:
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Price:
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Category:
Ceramics: Meissen