On a circular rocky base stands a tall tree stump with a candle nozzle and drip pan. A sheep reclines at the foot of the tree. Height 18 cm. Unmarked. Circa 1745-50.

The modeller of this charming object may well have been inspired by the kind of sheep one sees in the engravings after François Boucher which were so popular at the time.

A pair of this model is included in a large set of Mennecy porcelain toilette objects fitted into a dressing table now in the David Collection, Copenhagen. It includes silver mounts marked for 1744-50 (see Whitehead p. 48). The porcelain was catalogued as St. Cloud when the museum purchased it at Christie's. It is a particularly good example of the sort of assemblages favoured by Parisian marchands-merciers at this period.

Semicircular piece repaired on nozzle, about 1 cm high and 1 cm wide. Sheep's left ear repaired. Chips to leaves.

Stock Ref: WS 246

Price: £3,200