A pair of Meissen jays

The model of the jay or the ‘Eichel Gabith’ (its German historical name), belonged to the Royal Collection of Augustus the Strong (1670–1733) in the Japanese Palace. Here, the presentation of large porcelain birds and animals played a magnificent special role. With these unique creations, Augustus wanted to demonstrate that the porcelain from his glorious manufactory (the first ever made in Europe) was superior to porcelain from the Far East.

In October 1735, Johann Kaendler created the first model of the jay on behalf of the king. In his work record (Pietsch p. 34 serial no. 2) it is written:

• ‘Ein Eigel gabich poussiret Welcher ins Königl. Balläis gehörig, ist Vorgestellet Wie er auf einem Großen Eigel Ast sitzet, Welcher mit Eigeln und Blättern Stark bewachsen ist, und sich eine Eigel abfrißet Welches sein Futter ist, so sind auch unter schiedliche Raupen, wie auch ein Pörner (= Hirschkäfer) welche sich gerne auf den Eigel Bäumen auf halten, daran befindlich.’
  [A jay bird modeled for the King’s Palace. He sits on a big oak branch, which is overgrown with acorns and leaves and is picking an acorn. Furthermore there are different caterpillars and a ‘Pörner’ (means probably a stag beetle), which are also situated on the oak branch.]

In fact, two jays were delivered to the Japanese Palace in May 1736 (Wittwer p. 218; Boltz Keramos 153 / 1996. p. 96). These were inventoried under the palace number 356-W (Ziffer in cat. Kabinettstücke p. 240). Further deliveries obviously did not take place. In the inventory of the Japanese Palace of 1770 and in that of the Dresden ‘Turmzimmer’ of 1779, the jays are missing.

In 1739, the bird models (exclusively reserved for the king) were released for general sale (Ziffer op. cit.). This is proven by their entry in the manufactory’s price list. For Kaendler, this was the occasion to revise the jays in 1739. In this revision, Kaendler added the squirrel to the trunk as well as other things - among which the tit nest (sometimes also a mouse) is meant.

Between October 1, 1739 and January 31, 1740, Kaendler’s work record and his taxa on the after-work work say (Pietsch p. 63; Rafael p. 32 u. Ziffer a.a.O.):

• ‘Eichel Gabicht ebenfalls in Lebens Größe, wie solcher auff einem Stock sizet, natürlich vorgestellet, neben dem Gabicht ist ein Eichhorn in Lebens Größe, nebst anderen daran befindl. Zierathen.’ [Jay bird, also life-size, sitting on a branch, modelled naturally. Next to the jay is a life-size squirrel, among other things.]

• ‘1. Eichel Gabicht gleichfalls auf dem Stocke sizend, nebem welchem ein Eichhorn in Lebens Größe auf einem Aste sizet, 5 Thlr.’ [1. Jay bird also perched on a tree-stump, with a squirrel in life size sitting its side on a branch, 5 Thlr.]

The jay was a successful model and at 60 talers for the pair (beside the large parrots) it was one of the most expensive objects in the Meissen manufactory. Alfred Ziffer rightly writes (op. cit.): ‘The jays are certainly among the most artistically and technically elaborate showpieces of the time, for whose examples the manufactory had to assume the greatest care and experience.’

Comparative pieces (Pairs)

• Slg. Mrs. Charles W. Engelhard, Christies New York 18.03.2005 Nr. 38, Eichhörnchen und Vogelnest, 38,1 cm hoch, beide mit eingepresster “45”, 1740 = Kabinettstücke 2006 Nr. 28, laut Ziffer ein Vogel mit kobaltblauer Schwertermarke u. 39 cm hoch, 1739/40 = Slg. Rossi Sotheby’s 10.–12.03.1999
• Metropolitan Museum of Art, Gift of Irwin Untermyer, 1964, Accession Number: 64.101.6, Hackenbroch 1956 Plate 1 Fig. 3 mit Eichhörnchen, Vogelnest und Maus, Pressnummern: 101 u. 25, 39,4 cm hoch, 1739
• Slg. Ernst Schneider, Bayerisches Nationalmuseum in Schloss Lustheim, Inv.-Nr. ES 809-810, ein Paar, Eichhörnchen und Vogelnest, 39 cm hoch
• Slg. von Pannwitz, Helbing 24.-25.10.1905 Nr. 354, 355, Eichhörnchen und Vogelnest, 40 cm hoch, “Meißen, älteste Epoche” = Lichthofausstellung, Berlin 1904 Nr. 415, 416 = Marquisa d’Edla, Lissabon