A Large and Fruitfully Colored Meissen Porcelain Model of a Cockatoo on a Branch

Description

A very Large and Fruitfully Colored Meissen Porcelain Model of a Cockatoo on a Branch, circa 1860 This large Meissen porcelain model depicts a cockatoo perched upon a tree stump with its head lowered and crest fully raised. The bird is modeled with overlapping feathers across the wings, back, and tail, while the breast is formed with textured plumage in graduated shades of orange and yellow. The wings are decorated in layered tones of green that transition to darker feather tips, and the tail feathers continue in green and blue with violet accents. The cockatoo's white crest is highlighted with orange and red markings, framing blue glass eyes and a curved gray beak. Its scaled talons grasp the branch securely above a molded tree trunk decorated with applied grasses, bark details, and small naturalistic accents finished in hand painted enamels. This porcelain model was produced by the Meissen Porcelain Manufactory and bears the underglaze blue crossed swords mark on the underside, along with impressed factory numbers. Animal models of this type formed an important part of Meissen's sculptural production and were created from detailed models developed by the manufactory's leading designers and modelers. Meissen became widely recognized for its porcelain birds, combining naturalistic modeling with hand painted enamel decoration. Each figure was cast in multiple sections before assembly, then fired and individually painted to define the feather structure, facial features, talons, and tree support. The large scale, vibrant enamel palette, and detailed surface modeling are characteristic of Meissen porcelain animal sculptures. Dimensions: 14" Height 14" Width 6" Depth

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