Lot 215: A MEISSEN GROUP OF HARLEQUIN AND A LADY FEEDING PARROTS CIRCA 1745-50

PROPERTY FROM THE COLLECTION OF MARIAN AND MICHAEL SABEE

height 6 5/8 in. (16.8cm)

modelled by Johann Joachim Kändler, with a lady seated with a bowl of cherries on her lap offering one to a parrot perched in a tree above, all beside a table on which is perched a second parrot, Harlequin wearing a yellow tunic patterned with playing cards kneeling behind. Some chips and repairs.

PROVENANCE

Sold, Christie's, London, December 2, 1974, lot 200

NOTE

Kändler's Taxa entry for November 20th, 1745 records: "Ein Wattauisches Groupgen, da ein wohlgeputzes Frauenzimmer in einer Andriene auff einem Raasen sizt, und auf dem Schooß en mit Kirschen gefülltes Körbgen hat, woraus sie einem Papagoy, so neben ihr auff einem Baume sitzt, Kirschen giebet , neben ihr steht ein Tischlein darauff ein Papagoy, darbey ein Arelequin. [Watteau group, representing a finely attired lady in an andriene (gown), seated upon lawn, with a basket of cherries placed in her lap from which she offers cherries to a parrot perched in a nearby tree. A table with a parrot on it stands beside her, next to it a harlequin]."

A similar group was sold in these rooms, October 27, 1992, lot 108.