Baluster-shaped body with a hood-shaped lid. As a crowning feature, a pair of goldfinches sitting on a branch. The wall and lid are adorned with dense background of small, white, yellow-red painted and embossed flowers, surrounded by relief-plastic, branching vine leaves with numerous large flower heads, so-called snowball spheres. On both sides, a fully sculpted pyrol and wagtail. Basket-shaped, lattice-like pierced wall section with basket weave relief. Polychrome painting. Either by Johann Joachim Kaendler. Model no. 2774. Partially restored; crossed swords mark. Height: 50 cm. Inspired by East Asian decorations, J.J. Kaendler began in 1739 to cover the surfaces of porcelain with plastic flowers instead of previously partially embossed ones, which was an artistic sensation as well as a technical masterpiece. These extremely expensive vases quickly advanced to coveted cabinet pieces of courtly decoration. Thus, Kaendler modeled a series of vases for Ludwig XV of France in 1741/42; Friedrich the Great ordered six covered vases in 1745 and numerous other vases from 1762 onwards for the furnishing of the New Palace in Potsdam. Such snowball vases were coveted cabinet pieces and were placed on consoles and fireplace mantels or between wall panels. See Rücker, no. 676ff; Pietsch, no. 411; Keramos, 208, 2010, p. 38. A pair of splendid porcelain "snowball" vases with different types of bird figures. Partly restored. Crossed swords mark. Meissen. 2nd half of the 19th century.
