A PAIR OF MEISSEN FIGURES OF SHEPHERD AND SHEPHERDESS MUSICIANS CIRCA 1750-55

each modelled standing before a leafy tree stump on a gilt-heightened scroll-molded base, the shepherd with a dog and a sheep and playing bagpipes, the shepherdess with a recumbent lamb at her feet and playing a recorder, crossed swords marks in underglaze-blue.

Property from the Estate of V. Ethel Crosby, Sotheby's New York, April 24, 1992, lot 55

Shepherd: some restoration to the end of the end of the chanter; some restoration and chips to the fingers of his right hand; a chip to the bottom corner on either fide of the front of his coat; the left rear leg of the sheep has been off and restored back; one end of the stick at the dog's throat has broken away and is touched-up; minor chips to the ribbons of his hat, breeches, one shoe and the applied leaves; two minor firing-related fine haircracks to the base, each running up from the bottom edge of the base, one continuing beneath the length of the sheep and the other through the dog's tail, both ending at a point in the rear at the base of the tree stump. Shepherdess: the top half of the recorder has broken and is lacking; some restoration and losses to the fingers of both hands; minor chips to the applied leaves; some minor flaking to the blue enamel of her coat.
In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective qualified opinion.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING CONDITION OF A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD "AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF SALE PRINTED IN THE CATALOGUE.

An undecorated example of the shepherd is illustrated in Rainer Rückert, Meissener Porzellan, pl. 247, no. 1011. Similar examples of both figures are illustrated in K. Butler, Meissener Porzellanplastik des 18. Juhrhundrets, die Sammlung der Ermitage, nos. 179 and 180.