Meissen pair of swans

Modeled by Johann Joachim Kändler and Peter Reinicke

Circa 1747-50

Hard-paste porcelain             

Height: 4 ¾ in. (12 cm.) 

The Meissen swans (Cygnus oloror mute swan, native to Europe and Asia) were modeled by Johann Joachim Kändler and Peter Reinicke circa 1745-47, in various sizes. These smaller ones were originally intended as table decoration for Count Brühl’s Swan Service, and were later used as table decoration in general. A popular model, they are found in a variety of sizes, the larger ones often mounted on Louis XV or Louis XVI gilt bronze mounts, usually as candelabra, the smaller ones as decoration for mounted table fountains and pots-pourri.