Large The Air Allegorical Group attributed to M.V. Acier for Meissen, Germany, 1850s

Excellent Meissen porcelain group of the 19th century: Depiction of a bearded old man with angel wings, covered only with a cloth, sitting in the middle of a mountain of clouds, probably Chronos from Greek mythology, symbolizing the passage of life and reminding us that time flies, holding a long staff (usually with sickle) in his hand, surrounded by winged putti, representing activities on and with air: To the right of the old man a standing putto with waving cloth, embracing a peacock, the bird of paradise and symbol of heaven, and breathing into a tube forming a soap bubble, in the foreground wind is produced with the help of a bellows, to the left of and behind Chronos two putti with garlands of flowers and a little bird in their hands. The group is based on an earth pedestal with piled up clouds and gold rim.

Designer: MICHAEL VICTOR ACIER (1736 Versailles – 1799 Dresden)
Trained as a sculptor in Paris, he received a call to the porcelain factory in Meissen in 1762: he created a large number of groups in the Watteau style. In 1780 Acier came to Dresden as a royal Saxon model master. Design of model D 82 in 1777.

Manufactory: Meissen Germany
Dating: made ca. 1850
Material: white porcelain, glossy finish, brass staff
Technique: handmade and finest hand painting Size: height: 22,0 cm / 8.66 inches width: 26,0 cm / 10.23 inches depth: 20,0 cm / 7.87 inches
Marks: Blue Meissen underglaze crossed sword mark circa 1850, ‘Pommels on hilts’ / first quality model number D 82 / former’s number 51 / painter’s number 66
Bibliography: – Thomas & Sabine Bergmann, Meissen – Figures, Model Numbers A 1 – Z 99, Erlangen Germany 2014, catalog number 256, on page 131. Condition: excellent