Rare figurine "Neptune on a Shell" Meissen.

On a rectangular pedestal standing on a corrugated shell, the sea god Neptune (Greek Poseidon) is depicted, crowned with a shield and a long beard. Around him is draped a white, wind-blown fabric fastened with a purple ribbon. The coloring is polychrome with gold outlines, possibly executed by Johann Joachim Kändler and Johann Friedrich Eberlein. The surface has been restored in some disputed areas, with a sword mark present. Height 21.5 cm. The thematic connection with the famous "Swan" service, developed by J. J. Kändler and J. F. Eberlein around 1739-1742 for Count Heinrich von Brühl, is obvious. It can be assumed that this figure may have served as a finial for a large serving table. Whether it is part of the minister's famous service is unknown, but attribution to Eberlein/Kändler is certainly permissible. Additionally, Karl Berling (Festschrift, 1910) mentions a figure of Neptune with a shell, modeled by Eberlein in 1741 for Baron von Stecken. The presented figure is likely a model closely related to Brühl's "Swan" service and suitable for table decoration. See Berling, Festschrift, 1910, p. 42 (without illustration). A rare porcelain figure of Neptune on a shell with sparsely accentuated painting, executed in modeling. Slightly restored. Mark of crossed swords. Meissen. Circa 1745.