Kingfisher

2290 €

Vendor code: 900374-78332-1

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His graphic sources were neither stuffed animals nor were they to be found in illustrated tomes; they were, instead, living creatures observed during woodland walks, in his own garden or whilst at the zoo. Paul Walther was one of Meissen’s leading animal modellers, a man who, from 1904 defined the genre like no other. The work of this self-taught plastic artist is in an extraordinarily forceful formal idiom that sees him bring out looks and gestures in an authentic, empathetic manner. In the present case, the bird’s blue-andorange plumage, elaborated with the finest of brushwork, causes the porcelain surface to appear soft and compact. The tiny fellow’s head is slightly inclined, as if it were just about to imbibe some liquid refreshment.

Animals on dishes of this kind are a popular form of figure modelling at Meissen. Generally used to store everyday items of jewellery and the like or as a means of serving nibbles, these wares are transformed into out-and-out works of art when such exquisitely decorated animal statuary is added. The past three centuries have seen animals modelled across the whole range of artistic motifs and styles. The genre underwent a veritable renaissance early in the 20th century when in-house artists such as Paul Walther as well as considerable numbers of freelance animal sculptors proceeded to model masterfully naturalistic animals of all sizes. These included our tiny kingfisher, a truly “decorative” work of art from the earliest phase of art deco at Meissen

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Kingfisher

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