Pair of Meissen snowball vases. Baluster-shaped body with bonnet-shaped lid, crowned with foliage and canaries in full relief. All-round, dense fond of small, embossed, white flowers accentuated in yellow and purple, surrounded by branching vines in relief with numerous, large flower umbels, so-called snowball spheres. A large, seated, colourful parrot and scattered insects on the wall. Polychrome painting. Designed by Johann Joachim Kaendler. Partially restored; crossed swords mark. H. 68.5 cm - 69 cm. Inspired by East Asian decorations, J. J. Kaendler began in 1739 for the first time to cover the surfaces of porcelain with sculptural flowers on all sides, instead of partially embossing as before, which was an artistic sensation as well as a technical masterpiece. These extremely expensive vases quickly became coveted showpieces of courtly decoration. Kaendler modelled a series of vases for Louis XV of France in 1741/42; Frederick the Great ordered six lidded vases in 1745 and numerous other vases for the New Palace in Potsdam from 1762 onwards. Such snowball vases were coveted cabinet pieces and were placed on consoles and mantelpieces or between wall panels. Cf. Rückert, no. 676ff; Pietsch, no. 411; Keramos, 208, 2010, p. 38. A pair of porcelain "Schneeball vases" with figures of canaries, parrots and insects. Partly restored. Crossed swords mark. Meissen. Mid 19th century.