A PAIR OF MEISSEN ORMOLU-MOUNTED PAGODA FIGURES

These Oriental models emphasise the passion of the period for the Orient and the exotic. The openings in the mouths and ears and hollowed out interiors indicate their function as pastille or incense burners as well as being decorative objects. See Ulrich Pietsch et al., Triumph of the Blue Swords, Staatliche Kunstsammlungen Dresden, Exhibition Catalogue, 2010, p. 325-326, no. 373 for a pair of similar examples mounted as candlesticks. Johann Friedrich Eberlein worked in Kändler's workshop from 1735 to 1747 and he described these models in his work report for December 1735 as '4. Ein Pagoten-Weibel mit einem Papagei und Postament von Thon' and '5. Ein Pagotte mit einem Affen von Thon bosziert'. For examples ofthese models see Dr. Pauls Eisenbeiss, German Porcelain of the 18th Century, London, 1972, Vol. I, pp. 244-245; The Jack and Belle Linsky Collection in the Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, 1984, p. 257, nos. 166 and 167 and Abraham L. den Blaauwen, Meissen Porcelain in the Rijksmuseum, Amsterdam, 2000, pp. 425-426, no. 312. An example of the Chinaman was sold in these Rooms on 2 March 1992, lot 32 and on 28 February 1994, lot 223, and a pair of ormolu-mounted examples were sold in these Rooms on 11 December 2007, lot 34.