CIRCA 1922, BLUE CROSSED SWORDS MARK, IMPRESSED SWORDS AND WEISS MARK, INCISED MODEL NO. 126, PRESSNUMMER 107., AFTER THE MODEL BY J.J. KÄNDLER, REINTRODUCED BY KARL STEIN

This extraordinary porcelain model is adapted from the series originally created in the early 1730's for Augustus the Strong's Japanese Palace in Dresden. Underway by 1725, this Porzellanschloss, was entirely constructed around and devoted to housing his porcelain collections. Its Great Gallery was to contain a porcelain menagerie of both native and exotic specimens and even some mythical beasts. Produced by Meissen in the early 20th century, the present example is a celebration of this grand tradition. For an example of this model circa 1732 in the Dresden Porcelain Collection (Porzellansammlung) in the Zwinger Palace, see S. Wittwer, The Gallery of Meissen Animals, Munich, 2004, p. 203, no. 196.