Mid 18thC Bourdaloue

This is a very rare piece made by Meissen around 1740-50. It is a Bourdaloue (if you don't know what it is google it :) An extremely rare piece especially one this nicely decorated. This shape is often confused with sauceboats which is pretty disgusting and a bit funny. The bourdaloue is superbly decorated with applied vines growing out of the handle on either side including leaves and superb flowers. The handle is in the shape of a green branch and has a superb bird on it pecking at a fly (I believe). The entire peice has a hatch mark type relief design to it and there are four fun insects painted on the front of the piece with two more on the bottom inside. Each insect has its shadow below it which is a style often associated with the painter Klinger . All in all a superb piece that is very rare and looks amazing plus a great conversation starter. The piece is in great condition with some paint flaking to the handle which was covered up by a restorer, chips to the leaves and flowers, a firing flaw to the lip along the seam (nothing that takes away from the piece) and the tail of the bird is restored I believe. The fly is missing one of its wings I think. The leaf and flower damage is not bad and the piece displays superbly! A good restorer could bring it back to perfectlion if need be but I think it is just fine the way it is. One would expect a little damage to these fragile applied pieces after 275 years or so. The bottom is unglazed as shown which is typical of Meissen from this period. A decorative, fun and quirky piece and definitely a conversation starter :) The bourdaloue is 4.875 inches tall (including the tail of the bird), 7.375 inches long and and 4.5 inches wide. Please email me for more information or other pictures.