LARGE PORCELAIN FIGURINE OF A PELICAN EATING A CARP.
Meissen.
Model J.J. Kaendler; 1732. Moulding 20th century.
Porcelain; white.
Life size figure of a pelican devouring a fish. The animal's posture suggests that it is
portrayed floating on the water.
Measurement: Height 74;5cm; length 75;5cm.
Mark: Swordsmark with 2 grinds. Porcelain former no. 149C; Model no. 76006 stamped.


Provenance:
Private collection Rhineland

Literature:
-Sponsel; Jean Louis: Kabinettst點ke der Meissner Porzellanmanufaktur von Johann Joachim Kaendler; Leipzig 1900; p.65/96.
-Sponsel; p. 96: Reference to: Merian; Matth鋟s: In- und ausl鋘dische nach dem Leben gemalte V鰃el; verfertiget zu Frankfurth am Main von Matthia Merian ao. 1659.
-Pietsch; Ulrich: Mei遪er Porzellanplastik von Gottlieb Kirchner und Johann Joachim Kaendler; Munich 2006; cf. p.150; cat. no.221.

The pelican is a prime example for Kaendler's method. While trying to devour a fish; the large bird has tilted its head far back. The neck is curved in a dynamic movement; the eyes wide open. Every detail; be it the plumage; the scales of the fish or the structure of the skin of the throat bag; is carefully studied. Kaendler's depiction of a bird occupied with its prey; which he used again and again; combines the lifelike depiction of the animal with the demonstration of the modeller's artistic abilities. In fact; the existence of a pelican in Dresden's Tiergarten is evidenced by a picture by Matth鋟s Merian; which is in the Dresden Kupferstichkabinett. The depiction is titled 'a large pelican as can be seen in the Dresden royal fishgarden 1728'. It is therfore quite possible that a living example of the exotic bird served Kaendler as a model for his sculpture.
Art trade; Van Ham.