Meissen model by Johann Joachim Kaendler 1735/39-40, casting and decoration at the beginning of the 1740s, naturalistically decorated plumage, the trunks with squirrel and tit bird nest; height: 39 cm, both with impressed number ‘26’ for Andreas Schiefer (Miedtank in Keramos 232/2016 p. 15)
The jay or "Eichel Gabith", as it is historically called in Meissen, was part of the collection of the Japanese Palace, within which the royal menagerie of large porcelain birds and animals played a splendidly special role. With these unique creations, Augustus the Strong wanted to gloriously demonstrate that the porcelains of his manufactory were equal to, if not superior to, Japanese and Chinese porcelains. As part of this royal commission, Kaendler created the original model of the jay in October 1735.
In 1739, the model, initially reserved exclusively for the king, was released for general sale. This was the reason for Kaendler to deal with the jay again in 1739. The revised model is somewhat smaller (even though the size of the bird has been left true to life), the tree trunk has been given a squirrel or tit bird nest as an addition.
