Meissen Large Allegorical Group 'The Earth' by M.V. Acier, Germany Around 1850
By Meissen Porcelain, Michel Victor Acier 1
Located in Vienna, AT
Excellent Meissen porcelain group of the 19th century:
Depiction of the goddess Kybele, the great Phrygian mother of the gods 'Magna Mater', seated with a mural crown on a reclining lion, holding a cornucopia on her lap, symbol of wealth and abundance, behind her standing on a rock a female cupid presenting a key, surrounded by further three cupids with flowers, crops and rake, symbolising agriculture and the cultivation of the earth.
The group is based on an irregular earth and rock base with a gold rim.
Kybele usually wears a crown in the shape of a city wall on her head as an attribute and is depicted in castles, monasteries and baroque gardens, especially in the 18th century. In cycles showing the four elements, she embodies the earth. That is why she is often presented with the sun and moon to her right and left. In the other hand she may carry a staff of office, a sceptre, as a symbol of rulership complementing the mural crown. In the other hand she carries a small kettledrum, which may symbolise the noise of her madness or the festivities held in her honour. Often Kybele rides on a lion or a pair of lions, or she rides on a chariot drawn by two lions. Spikes of corn, poppies, flowers or fruit in bowls may also be shown. wikipwdia.
Designer:
MICHAEL VICTOR ACIER (1736 Versailles - 1799 Dresden)
Trained as a sculptor in Paris, he received a call to the porcelain factory in Meissen in 1762: he created a large number of groups in the Watteau style...
Category
Mid-19th Century German Baroque Antique Michel Victor Acier Furniture