A group of four Meissen porcelain sculptures depicting the four Continents, commissioned by Tsarina Elisabeth Petrowna (1709-1762)
Commissioned in 1745, each marked with two crossed swords in underglaze blue, 2nd half 19th century
"Europa"
H. 25 x W. 23 cm
The personification seated on an architrave wearing a crown, with sceptre in the right hand and orb in the left hand, with gem-studded cloak over her armour, flanked by a globe, some books, on the left side a female bust, scroll and yard stick, in the background palette, brush, and paints, silver square and gold compass, underneath the white horse Roman chainmail, shield and arrows, rectangular stone base with gilt edging.
“Amerika”
H. 29 x W. 26 cm
The personification seated atop a crocodile, wearing a polychrome feather crown, plumed cloak, and skirt, the belt set with shells, gold, and gemstones, on her right a parrot, in the left hand a cornucopia with gilt and polychrome jewellery, outlined with large scintillating white-blue pearls, the crossed legs also with gold jewellery, the rectangular stone base with gilt edging.
“Afrika”
H. 28.5 x W. 23 cm
The personification mounted on a lion, wearing a tusked elephant head, in the right hand a golden sceptre, in the left hand ears-of-corn, wearing gilt ear pendants, light purple cloak with set with gems and gold, the facing side with a gilt sun disc, over a skirt and leggings with polychrome plumes and decorative borders, across the knees a light blue fabric, rectangular stone base with gilt edging.
"Asien”
H. 31 x W. 23 cm
The personification mounted on a dromedary, wearing a tall headdress with half-moon, 4 tufts of hair, a gilt string of pearls, as well as gold brooches and gemstones, a gilt sceptre in the right hand and an incense vessel in the left hand, dressed in a light purple cloak, pale yellow dress with a belt and gilt chains with gemstones, the petticoat decorated with polychrome "indianische" flowering branches and, gilt ear pendants and a gilt pearl necklace, crimson shoes with buckles, the dromedary with light blue cover with elaborate gilt decoration, in the background a palm, rectangular stone base with gilt edging.
Provenance:
Noble collection, Austria
