the porcelain Meissen, c. 1751-53. Model probably by J. J. Kändler.

A lion and lioness with her cub, as counterparts, with a raised front paw on a rockwork base applied with leaves and flowers. The coat heightened in light brown with detailed markings. Mounted on scrolled, gilt bronze bases in the style of Louis XV. Underglaze blue sword mark on the edge of both rockwork bases.

L 14.5 cm, 15.5 cm (21 cm with base) ; H 12.5 cm, 13.5 cm (17.5 cm with base).

Sale Room Notice: with restorations

This model of the lion is found as an attribute of Fortitudo on the base of the porcelain model created by Kändler in 1753 for the planned monumental equestrian statue of King August III. (cf. Albiker 1935, ill. 220; Staatliche Kunstsammlungen Dresden, inv. no. 2528).

Comparable works: C. Albiker, Die Meissner Porzellantiere, 1935, no. 198 (lion); Y. Hackenbroch, Meissen Porcelain Scultpture, KFS 50/1960, ill. 160R; Rückert, Meissener Porzellan, 1966, no. 1058, 1059, pl. 262 (Ernst Schneider collection, Lustheim); U. Pietsch, Porzellan Parforce, Munich 2005, p.74 cat. no. 19; Sale Sotheby's Zürich, 9.12.1997, Lot 39; Sir Gawainie & Lady Baillie Collection, Sale Sotheby's London, 1. 5. 2013, Lot 103 and 92 for a larger pair with bronze mounts; Sale Sotheby's Paris, 15.3.2014, Lot 72 (an almost identical pair with Louis XV bronze mounts); Sale Christie's London, 21.11.2018, Lot 67.

After the nearly life-size lion models created by Kirchner for the Japanese Palace between 1732 and 1733 (Albiker 1935, ill. 12, 13), various smaller lion models were created from the 1740s onwards. Kändler noted in his work report from November 1748: "Eine Löwin, welche darzu gehöret von eben solcher Grösse, welche gemeinsam prillend und liegend aufs beste nach der Natur vorgestellet ist. For Ihro Majt. Die Königin einen grossen Löwen modelliert. Es ist selbiger liegend zugleich prillend nach der Natur aufs beste vorgestellet.” (Pietsch 2005, p. 74 cat.19)