A very rare Meissen Böttger stoneware model of an American Bald-headed Eagle, Circa 1924-33
A very rare Meissen Böttger stoneware model of an American Bald-headed Eagle, modelled and partially polished in a highly detailed natural way by Paul Walther, the Falcon’s head looking straight out, its plumage fanned before it, raised on a stepped and canted triangular base.
Modelled by Paul Walther
From an edition of 11 models in total, this is no. 4
Paul Walther (1876-1933) entered the drawing classes at Meissen in 1891 and progressed to become a modeller. He was self-taught as an artist and attended only some lectures on animal anatomy at the Dresden Kunstakademie. His early models, from around 1905 were influenced by the Art Nouveau Style, he developed an idiosyncratic decorative style which continued to flourish at the factory under Max Adolf Pfeiffer.
Strictly limited editions were also produced of selected models – such as the present lot – which Walther himself executed or painted. These ‘original pieces’ or Urstücke are distinguished by an edition number (no.4 out of 11 in this case) and the incised signature of the artist himself.
Marks
Incised signature ‘P.Walther’ to base and impressed PW.crossed swords and dot impressed to near of base, impressed ‘BÖTTGER STEINZEUG’, incised model number K243, impressed ‘VON II URSTÜCKEN NO’ and incised 4.
Literature
See C.Marusch-Krohn, Meissener Porzellan 1918 – 1933 Die Pfeifferzeit, p.136f. for a discussion on the artist, the author concludes that, ‘Walter belongs alongside Max Esser, to the most important and productive animal sculptors of the Pfeiffer perios’ (p.137).Join our mailing list
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