Large Meissen figurine "Sultana on elephant". (also "Persian woman on elephant"). Standing elephant painted in grey with raised trunk. Sitting on his back over a broad, purple-coloured saddlecloth with gold tassels and yellowish cushions is a sultana in oriental clothing set with gemstones and precious jewellery. She is wearing sea-green shoes and a splendid headdress. Holding a sceptre in her right hand and carrying a censer in her left. Polychrome painting with rich gold decoration. Probably designed by Johann Joachim Kaendler and Peter Reinicke, mid 18th century; elephant adorned with a filigree, gilded headdress. Remainder; crossed swords mark. H. 43 cm. 44 cm x 19 cm. The archival records from the period between 1741 and 1749 mention "elephants with a decorated ceiling overhanging, embossed in a throne" in connection with J. J. Kaendler and P. Reinicke. In the 1740s, Meissen porcelain sculpture became increasingly interested in the cultures of other countries and continents. This new orientation was translated into porcelain by J. J. Kaendler in collaboration with P. Reinicke and moulded in different variations. The "Sultan (Persian) on an Elephant" was created as a counterpart to the Sultana, in a modified version with a rhinoceros and the addition of a Moor. The elephant in the "Court of the Grand Mogul" by Johann Melchior Dinglinger, produced between 1701 and 1708, served as a model for the animal design. Cf. Rückert, Cat. Bayer. Nationalmuseum, figs. 1060 and 1061; Kunze-Köllensperger, Burda Collection, no. 41 (counterpart). A large figure group "Female Sultan on elephant" probably modelled by J. J. Kaendler and P. Reinicke. The elephant adorned with a filigree, gold-plated headdress. Restored. Crossed swords mark. Meissen. 2nd half 19th century.