Highly important pair of Meissen Porcelain Models of Rollers – also known as Almond Crows modelled by J.J. Kaendler and J.G. Ehder, Circa 1739-40
Further images
Highly important pair of Meissen Porcelain Models of Rollers – also known as Almond Crows modelled by J.J. Kaendler and J.G. Ehder.
Each bird naturalistically modelled perched on tree-stumps covered with flowers and leaf tendrils, beetles, caterpillars and mushrooms. Both birds leaning to the side observing their small prey. Their heads bowed towards each other.
Augustus The Strong, Elector of Saxony, King of Poland, had various animals and birds which were kept in his Royal Menagerie – Aviary at Schloss Moritzburg. J.J. Kaendler created life-sized and near life-sized porcelain animals and birds, many destined for the Japanese Palace of Augustus The Strong. To create them, Kaendler found inspiration from nature and copied from life the birds that were in the Royal Aviary at Schloss Moritzburg.
The Rollers / Almond Crows with carefully drawn plumage in bright shining turquoise green and blue, brown or sea green and yellow. Their brown beaks open showing their tongues.
The models of the Rollers / Almond Crows were designed by J.J. Kaendler from 1735 onwards on behalf of Augustus The Strong for the Japanese Palace. Between October 1739 and January 1740 J.J. Kaendler reworked the models with Johann Gottlieb Ehder. Recorded as (1 Roller sitting modelled on a large branch with its wings outstretched).
For other examples of Rollers, see Gerhard Roebbig’s exhibition catalogue, November 2006, Munich p.97.
Registered with “The Art Loss Register” – certified ‘good’ – ALR reference: S00267728
Marks: Underglaze blue cross swords mark to base of each bird.
Provenance
Collection of Brigitte Bigar
Private US/German Swiss Collection of Brigitte Bigar, Lugano, Schweiz, acquired in the 1980’s, and respectively from the USA since circa 1960’s.
Previous Provenance: Heinz Reichert, Freiburg, Germany
Literature
According to J.J. Kaendler’s – Taxa “One Almond Crow, modelled, sitting on a branch and stretching its wings”.
See: Carl Albiker “Die Meissner Porzellantiere IM 18. Jahrhundert, Berlin 1959, No. 131.
See: Samuel Wittwer – The Gallery of Meissen Animals (Augustus the Strong’s Menagerie for the Japanese Palace in Dresden). See page 351 for full details of a Roller.
See also: Irene Roosevelt Aitken sale, Christie’s New York, 11th Feb. 2026 for pair of Meissen Rollers, circa 1740 modelled by J.J. Kaendler & J.G. Ehder (lot 47). Sold for US $248,650.
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