Porcelain figurine of a lioness with cubs.

On an uneven terrace covered with plastic flowers and leaves sits a lioness mother with a torn mouth, baring her teeth and protecting the cubs lying beneath her. The extremely realistic depiction shows a muscular chest, sinewy legs, large paws, and ribs on her sides, skillfully conveying the anatomy of a big cat. The carefully carved and brown-striped fur pattern adds polychrome coloring. Possibly by Johann Joachim Kändler, circa 1740–1750. Some restoration work; minimal damage. Underglaze blue crossed swords mark. Height 13 cm, length 15 cm. Kändler’s works and tax reports document his activity in creating various lion figures between 1740 and 1750, including the creation of “1 medium-sized lion” for King Augustus III. Examples can be found in the inventory of the court confectionery of the Dresden Palace and among the “Six porcelain lions” (according to the inventory of the Brühl estate) under the care of Count Heinrich von Brühl. See Pitzsch, “Swan Service,” p. 264, no. 332a/catalog Early Meissen Porcelain, no. 59; Menzhausen/Karpinski, p. 196; Albiker, no. 158 and following. Porcelain figurine of a lioness with cubs. Slightly restored. Minor chips. Crossed swords mark. Meissen. Circa 1750.