Johann Kändler "Orchestre", Meissen, 19th century
Description
Hand-painted porcelain , signed with the Meissen hallmarks, model number 2489.
Height: 16 cm
Johann Joachim Kändler (Fischbach 1706 - 1775 Meissen) – as a German sculptor who became the most important modeller of the Meissen porcelain manufactury, and arguably of all European porcelain. He worked at Meissen for over 40 years, from 1731 until his death in 1775. Meissen pieces of all sorts were normally made with moulds, whose designs Kändler mostly created, supervising the production of the moulds, and checking the quality of the many examples cast. He was often not involved with their painting, which can vary between examples. In addition to his work as a modeller, Kändler also came to serve in other roles at Meissen. First as chief of sculptural shaping, later as arcanist, he led the state porcelain manufactury through the restless period of the Seven Years' War and kept production going against the odds. Examples of the thousands of pieces modelled by Kändler can be seen in most major museums collecting ceramics. The best UK collection is on the sixth floor of the Victoria and Albert Museum, London. Other museums containing Kändler's work include the Birmingham Museum of Art, the Getty Museum, the National Gallery of Art, and the Rijksmuseum. In Germany you can find his sculptures in the Bavarian National Museum and the Dresden Porcelain Collection at Zwinger Palace.