CeramicsAppraiser

Time to re-evaluate values on good early Meissen animal figures.

Not since the Rockefeller sale of 2005 have so many wonderful Meissen birds and other sundry animals graced the auction block with such aplomb. Yesterday’s sale at Sotheby’s London of the Sir Gawaine and Lady Baillie collection of Meissen was a long-awaited treat and eye-opener.

Starting off on the slow track with the two unassuming pigeons, the heat quickly started to ratchet up as all of the good pieces and even the not so great fared very well when the hammer fell.

The first lot of note achieved a much higher than expected value though overall the estimates seemed rather low. Possibly a sign of the times but with these achievements it may be a sign of times to come.

LOT 7

TWO MEISSEN FIGURES OF GREEN WOODPECKERS CIRCA 1734-40

modelled by J. J. Kändler, with green, red and black plumage, crossed swords marks in underglaze-blue (some restoration)

27.5cm., 10 7/8 in. high

ESTIMATE 15,000-20,000 GBP

Lot Sold: 55,000 GBP

An unexpected achievement for a wonky pair

LOT 11

TWO MEISSEN FIGURES OF KINGFISHERS ONE CIRCA 1735, THE OTHER PROBABLY LATER

modelled by J. J. Kändler and F. Eberlein, their heads turned down and to left or up and to the right, their plumage in tones of green and blue with brown markings, perched on tall rocky outcrops applied with fungi and foliage, the rockwork of one with patches of brown and yellow, both with crossed swords marks in underglaze-blue, one impressed 57 (some restoration)

22.5cm., 8 3/4 in. and 21cm., 8 1/4 in. high

ESTIMATE 15,000-20,000 GBP

Lot Sold: 43,750 GBP

Not as impressive as the Rockefeller pair, a much lower estimate and out of the ballpark.

LOT 12

A PAIR OF MEISSEN FIGURES OF BITTERNS CIRCA 1750

modelled by J. J. Kändler, each standing with head turned facing to the left or right, their plumage finely detailed in tones of brown and black, standing before reeds on a grassy mound base, crossed swords marks in underglaze-blue (some restoration)

36cm., 14¼in and 37cm., 14½in. high

ESTIMATE 40,000-60,000 GBP

Lot Sold: 170,500 GBP

An unassuming couple, they had what it takes.

LOT 20

AN ASSEMBLED PAIR OF MEISSEN FIGURES OF THRUSHES CIRCA 1745-50

probably modelled by J. J. Kändler, with black-marked grey heads, the yellow breasts and brown plumage with black markings, on short stump bases overgrown with flowering foliage, one also with a beetle, a fly and a clump of fungi on the base, one with crossed swords mark in underglaze-blue (some restoration)

20cm., 7 3/4 in. and 20.5cm., 8in high

ESTIMATE 8,000-12,000 GBP

Lot Sold: 23,750 GBP

Focusing on the highs and lows, most of the lots did as expected if not a bit better.  Lot 46 certainly under impressed in life and seemed way overvalued to begin with. Yet here you have it.

LOT 46

A PAIR OF MEISSEN DUCK TUREENS AND COVERS CIRCA 1785

facing to the left or right, the details of their plumage delicately picked out in tones of brown, purple, blue and black, the male’s salmon pink beak open, his partner’s demurely closed (both with some restoration), with later French ormolu mounts

each approx. 29cm., 11½in. length

ESTIMATE 30,000-50,000 GBP

Lot Sold: 68,500 GBP

The monkeys and squirrels were next up and though they did well I honestly expected the star lot to break £1,000,000. At nearly $1,300,000 and way above it’s original estimate I would have to say he did well.

LOT 78

AN IMPORTANT AND RARE MEISSEN WHITE FIGURE OF A MONKEY CIRCA 1732

modelled by J. J. Kändler for the Japanese Palace, Dresden, wearing a belt and seated on a tree stump taking a pinch of snuff from the oval box held in his left paw

48.6cm., 19 1/8 in. high

ESTIMATE 200,000-400,000 GBP

Lot Sold: 818,500 GBP

The parrots followed up and did exceptionally well. A few choice lots follow:

LOT 80

A PAIR OF MEISSEN FIGURES OF PARROTS CIRCA 1740

modelled by J. J. Kändler, one facing right, the other facing left, each with brightly painted plumage in shade of green, red, yellow, blue and turquoise, crossed swords marks in underglaze-blue

19cm., 7 1/2 in. high

ESTIMATE 12,000-18,000 GBP

Lot Sold: 50,000 GBP

African Grays

LOT 81

A PAIR OF MEISSEN FIGURES OF PARROTS CIRCA 1740

modelled by J. J. Kändler, painted in grey, their wings and beak picked out in black, with a red tail (some restoration)

19cm, 7 1/2 in. high

ESTIMATE 15,000-20,000 GBP

Lot Sold: 56,250 GBP

LOT 83

A PAIR OF MEISSEN MODELS OF PARROTS CIRCA 1740

modelled by J. J. Kändler, each with head turned slightly, holding a bright red cherry in its beak, each with green heads and body, pale yellow chest, blue and turquoise wings and red tail, each peched on a short tree stump applied with fruiting cherry branches and leaves (some restoration)

19cm., 7½in. high

ESTIMATE 20,000-30,000 GBP

Lot Sold: 96,100 GBP

LOT 84

AN ASSEMBLED PAIR OF MEISSEN FIGURES OF INDIAN ROSE-RINGED PARROTS CIRCA 1740-45

perched on tree stumps with heads turned to left or right, with green heads and bodies and yellow, blue and purple wings and tail feathers (some restoration)

33cm., 13in. and 35cm., 13½in. high

ESTIMATE 20,000-30,000 GBP

Lot Sold: 52,500 GBP

LOT 86

A PAIR OF MEISSEN INDIAN ROSE-RINGED PARROTS CIRCA 1741

modelled by J. J. Kändler, one with a lump of sugar held in its raised claw, the other with a cherry in its beak, on tall rock and tree-stump bases (base of one reduced, some restoration)

27cm., 10 ½ in. and 31cm., 12 1/4 in. high

ESTIMATE 30,000-45,000 GBP

Lot Sold: 134,500 GBP

LOT 87

A MEISSEN FIGURE OF A COCKATOO CIRCA 1737

modelled by J. F. Eberlein, with multi-coloured crest and plumage, red inked collection no. I-16-a (some restoration)

21cm., 8 1/4 in. high

ESTIMATE 20,000-30,000 GBP

Lot Sold: 67,300 GBP

And What! A later decorated example…

LOT 88

A MEISSEN FIGURE OF A COCKATOO CIRCA 1737, LATER DECORATED

modelled by J. F. Eberlein, his chest and tail brightly painted in red, his plumage in yellow,blue and purple, red inked collection no. I-16-a

22cm., 8 3/4 in. high

ESTIMATE 20,000-30,000 GBP

Lot Sold: 60,000 GBP

The wonky little Rhino held his place

LOT 90

A RARE MEISSEN FIGURE OF A RHINOCEROS CIRCA 1745

probably modelled by J. J. Kändler, standing open-mouthed, its coat painted in shades of brown (some restoration)

16.5cm., 6½in. length

ESTIMATE 3,000-4,500 GBP

Lot Sold: 18,750 GBP

Last and certainly not least the Guinnea Fowls rounded out the sale with an impressive show.

LOT 195

TWO IMPORTANT AND RARE MEISSEN FIGURES OF GUINEA FOWL 1735

modelled by J. J. Kändler for the Japanese Palace, Dresden, each bird standing on a rocky mound base amongst various grasses and flowering leafy branches, with white-speckled black plumage, long purple necks curving to the left and red combs and wattles (minor restoration and chips)

43.5cm., 17 1/8 in. high

ESTIMATE 150,000-200,000 GBP

Lot Sold: 554,500 GBP

Two lots of two pairs each mirrored their successes.

LOT 196

FOUR MEISSEN FIGURES OF GUINEA FOWL CIRCA 1741

modelled by J. J. Kändler, the first two with white speckled markings and white patches to their backs, the other two with white speckled markings, each bird standing astride a tree stump applied with leaves (some restoration)

16cm., 6¼in. high

ESTIMATE 10,000-15,000 GBP

Lot Sold: 26,250 GBP

LOT 197

FOUR MEISSEN FIGURES OF GUINEA FOWL CIRCA 1741

modelled by J. J. Kändler, each bird facing to the left, the first two with white speckling and white patches to their backs, the other two with white speckling only, each standing astride a tree stump, three applied with leaves, one with crossed swords mark in underglaze-blue, the first two with pencilled numbers 12458 and 12459 (some restoration and chips)

16cm., 6¼in. high

ESTIMATE 10,000-15,000 GBP

Lot Sold: 26,250 GBP

All in all an impressive showing with none of the good lots going unsold. Hopefully a portent of a glorious future ahead where quality prevails and the willing buyer abounds.

Meissen at Sotheby’s London preview of Property from the Collection of Sir Gawaine and Lady Baillie - Auction May 1.