FINE CERAMICS AND WORKS OF ART
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An extremely rare and
important pair of Meissen models of Mute Swans, known as the Cygnus Olor,
beautifully modelled to a high naturalistic and decorative effect by
Johann Joachim Kaendler and Peter Reineke, each swan seated nesting
amongst bulrushes and reeds, the black webbed feet supporting its body,
the plumage to the body, neck and wings highly sculpted to show every
detail of the feathers, the rising inquisitive heads in natural colours
and looking to one side.
Circa 1750
Height: 10 ¾ in (27.3 cms)
Marks: Crossed swords marks in underglaze blue to each model.
The models for the present swans were a collaborative effort between J.J.
Kaendler and Peter Reineke, who are recorded as working on them in
November 1747. However, according to Ludwig Schnorr von Carolsfeld in his
catalogue for the Dresden Collection of Gustav von Klempener, they were
not finalised until the Summer of the following year. A popular model,
these swans are found in a variety of sizes and are often set into ormolu
mounts, popular during the reigns of both Louis XV and Louis XVI. The
mounts often take the robust form of rococo foliate swirls forming
candelabra arms, or that of a calmer more neo-classic design featuring the
birds nesting amidst bullrushes. For a pair mounted as rocaille
candelabra, the arms applied with tôle flowers, see Abraham L. den
Blaauwen, Meissen Porcelain in the Rÿksmuseum, pp. 416-417, no. 305.