Pair of large Meissen figural groups "Sultan and... Lot 967

Pair of large Meissen figural groups "Sultan and Sultana on elephant". as counterparts. Standing, brown-grey mottled elephant with raised trunk. On his back, over broad, floral ornamented saddle cloth with gold tassels sitting sultana (or Persian) in splendid, gem-studded clothing of pink robe over white, flowered Pluderhose with royal blue coat, in addition an elaborate headdress, yellow shoes and precious jewelry. In the right hand a scepter, in the left carrying a censer. As a counterpart a sitting sultan in oriental, floral patterned robe with purple cloak and noble turban, carrying a scepter in his right hand. Polychrome painting with rich gold staffage. Designed probably by Johann Joachim Kaendler and Peter Reinicke, mid-18th c. Model no. 188. Unw. rest.; sword mark. H. 42 - 44 cm. 44 cm x 19 cm. In the archival records from the period between 1741 and 1749, "elephants with an ornate blanket overhanging, bossed in throne" are mentioned in connection with J. J. Kaendler and P. Reinicke. In the 1740s of the 18th century, the Meissen manufactory turned thematically to the cultures of other continents and their countries. These new contents were translated into porcelain by J. J. Kaendler in cooperation with P. Reinicke and formed in different variants. Both groups of figures were also molded in modified versions with a rhinoceros and the addition of a Moor figure. The model for the animal design was the sculpture of the elephant in the "Hofstaat des Großmogul" (Court of the Great Mogul) by Johann Melchior Dinglinger, made between 1701 and 1708. Cf. Rückert, Cat. Bayer. Nationalmuseum, figs. 1060 and 1061; Kunze-Köllensperger, Slg. Burda, no. 41, Adams, Meissen Portraits, p. 167. A pair of large figure groups of "Sultan on elephant" and "Persian woman on elephant" probably modelled by J. J. Kaendler and P. Reinecke. Counterparts. Insignificantly restored. Crossed swords mark. Meissen. 19th/20th c.