Air Element Vase attributed to J. J. Kaendler for Meissen, Germany, 1860s-1880s

Large, ornate vase in the shape of a jug with highly embossed, partially three-dimensional decoration: on a separate oval base with colourful, diagonal feather trim, bulbous body nestled in clouds at the bottom with a separate, indented neck featuring insect painting, merging into the spout covered with colorful feathers and with gold rims, opposite side a waving, royal blue cloth in the form of a handle, on the upper connection two winged cupids playing bagpipes, below, sitting on a mountain of clouds, the goddess Juno with crown and sceptre, next to her the attribute belonging to her, the peacock, opposite her the naked, winged Zephyr, god of the west wind. The reliefed surface of the vase shows a depiction of a falconry hunt for herons and wild ducks, on the back a painted cloudy sky, on the foot another winged Cupid boy with a dove. Strong polychrome painting with gold decoration.

The jug was originally part of a five-piece vase set of the four elements, and the centerpiece glorifying the reign of King Louis XV. of France. The innovative sculptural design of the monumental vessels is due to the court sculptor and Meissen model master Johann Joachim Kaendler. In a hitherto unknown tour de force of porcelain modelling, he dissolved the surfaces of the vase bodies into reliefs and let the silhouettes dissolve into expansive figurative appliqu s. For these major works from the Meissen manufactory, Kaendler once again understood how to push the sculptural qualities of the porcelain to the limit of the possible. August III commissioned the representative set in 1741 as a gift for the French king, whom he was trying to win over as an ally. However, since the political constellations in the War of the Austrian Succession changed again quickly, the vases ultimately remained in Dresden.

Designer: JOHANN JOACHIM K NDLER (1706 - 1775) was chief sculptor at the Meissen manufactory from 1742 to 1775. He is the most famous modeller Meissen manufactory ever had and created famous series such as Shepherd Figurines, Comedian's Children, Gardener Children (with Acier), Paris Town Criers (with Reinicke and Meyer) , Gallant Figurines, etc. Kaendler designed model 327 in 1741. Manufactory: Meissen Germany Dating: Made ca. 1860/1880 Material: White porcelain, glossy finish Technique: Handmade and finest hand painting Size: Height: 65,0 cm / 25.59 in Width: 38,0 cm / 14.96 in Depth: 22,0 cm / 8.66 in Marks: Blue Meissen crossed sword mark, pommels on hilts / First quality Model number 327 / Former's number 147 / Painter's number 20 Bibliography: - Thomas & Sabine Bergmann, Meissen Figures, Model Numbers 1 - 3000, Erlangen (Germany) 2017, catalogue number 1952 on page 426. - Dresden State Art Collection, porcelain collection, inventory number PE 7789 a,b. Condition: Excellent maintained condition - exhibition piece!