Pair of parrots ‘mittlerer Sorte’

Meissen model by Johann J. Kaendler, October 1741, cast and decoration soon after
Bird left: 14,1 cm high, swords mark on the unglazed bottom
Right: 13.8 cm, slight traces of a swords mark on the unglazed bottom

Description

The Meissen parrot ‘mittlerer Sorte’ is mentioned in Kaendler’s work record of October 1741 (Pietsch 2002 p. 83 no. 7): ‘Einen Neuen Pappagoy mittlere Sorte in Thon poussiret welcher gegen den schon im Waaren Laager befindl. poussiret.’

They are first documented in the Dresden porcelain warehouse for Count Brühl from 13.07.1737.

Rainer Rückert writes (1982, plate 112, 113) that among the Meissen animal figures parrots are on the first place of admiration – comparable with the role of crinoline groups in the genre of figurative sculptures. He continues (ibid.): ‘The interest in zoology was part of the splendid court in the 18th century, and the ‘Volière’ has been preserved for entertainment and teaching up to the present day. The ability of parrots to recite human words has given them special attention in Europe for centuries. Their tropical and subtropical origins have always made them seem like a paradise messenger. The parrots modelled in Meissen between 1735 and 1765 are mostly Amazon parrots, but they were often painted according to fantasy.’

Comparative parrots:

Collection Dr. Ernst Schneider (Rückert 1966 no 1083 plate 267)
Collection Dr. Ernst Schneider, Bayerisches Nationalmuseum, today in Schloss Lustheim (Rückert 1982 plate 112, 113)
Collection Sir Gawaine & Lady Baillie (Sotheby’s 01.5.2013 no. 107)
Wrightsman Collection (Dautermann no. 18)