Imposing multi-part Meissen figural group "Neptune... Lot 931

Imposing multi-part Meissen figural group "Neptune and Thetis" from the "Great Russian Order" for Tsarina Catherine II. 4-piece; partly mounted. Curved plinth with ornamental borders in relief, on the front a group of figures. In the midst of churning sea waves, in a shell chariot pulled by two rearing hippocamps standing, gray-bearded god Neptune in majestic posture as ruler of the seas. In the right hand a large trident, in the left holding a laurel wreath. Behind him appearing sea nymph Thetis. Looking down to the sea goddess Amphitrite carried by a dolphin. Flanking two tritons and a sea nymph. Polychrome painting with gold staffage. Designed by Johann Joachim Kaendler, 1773, model no. 1, trident added, partly minimally damaged, rest, sword marks. H. 42 cm. L. 61 cm. As a counterpart Kaendler designed the group "Triumph of Amphitrite". The commission for Catherine II of Russia included numerous, various allegorical and mythological porcelain figures and groups with which Catherine the Great had the cabinet in the pavilion at the Rodelberge in the park Oranienbaum Palace in today's Lomonosov decorated. Cf. Pietsch, Cat. Meissen für die Zaren, no. 168 with fig. 41; P. von Spee, Klassizistische Porzellanplastik, (Diss.), Bonn, 2004, cat. no. 92, pp. 293f. A large partly mounted figure group "Neptune and Thetis" for the "Great Russian order" of Catherine the Great. Trident added. Partly minor chipped. Restored. Crossed swords marks. Meissen. 2nd half of the 19th century.