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Large Meissen King Vulture standing on a tree trunk, around 1880

About the Item

Large Meissen King Vulture standing on a tree trunk, around 1880 Large statuette depicting a king vulture sitting on a base modeled on a tree trunk decorated with foliage, with a slightly tilted head and rich polychrome natural decoration. Based on a model by J.-J. Kaendler from 1734 (original model in the Dresden State Art Collections, inv. PE 78, attached photo). Marked on the back with crossed swords. 19th century. Height: 71cm. The King Vulture (Sarcorhamphus papa) is almost 75 cm tall and is found in southern Mexico to Brazil. Lit.: Bergmann-Animals, p 339, cat. no. 3960; Lit.: Jean Louis Sponsel, Cabinet pieces from the Meissner Porcelain Manufactory by Johann Joachim Kändler, Leipzig 1900, p. 99, ill., III. The works carried out to decorate the Japanese Palace in the Royal Porcelain Collection in Dresden; Lit.: Meissen porcelain of the 18th century, The Ernst Schneider Foundation in Lustheim Castle, p. 374: The residential city of August the Strong owed its Europe-wide fame not only to the royal art collections and the support of art at the court, but also to the natural science collections of the regent; The Dresden Natural History Cabinet was considered the most important in Europe. August the Strong's great interest in the natural sciences and his strong collecting zeal not only led him to spend enormous sums on exotic animals that were imported to Europe by the large trading companies of the time, but even to finance an expedition to Africa. In 1731, several natural scientists began their journey to North Africa with the instructions to send all "possible species of animals alive or in skins and esgwellettes (=as skeletons) or even ground" to Dresen. In this way, numerous exotic animals came to the Saxon court, where they populated aviaries and menageries or as specimens in the animal gallery Dresden Zwinger was exhibited. This collection of living and prepared animals was available to Johann Joachim Kändler as illustrative material for his numerous animal sculptures. Not only notes in the Meißen manufactory records bear witness to his intensive studies of nature, but in particular the lively naturalism, the characteristic movement motif and the detailed surface treatment of his porcelain creations.
  • Dimensions:
    Height: 27.96 in (71 cm)Width: 12.21 in (31 cm)Depth: 18.9 in (48 cm)
  • Materials and Techniques:
  • Place of Origin:
  • Period:
  • Date of Manufacture:
    19th Century
  • Condition:
    Wear consistent with age and use.
  • Seller Location:
    Berlin, DE
  • Reference Number:
    1stDibs: LU2528336715072

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