Collection of 70 Meissen gardener figurines. Seated and standing girls and boys as gardeners, winegrowers and shepherds on a rocaille-relief plinth in summery rococo dress, some with lace decoration, with various added attributes, including a basket of flowers, grapes and vegetables, a rod, tools and a wine pannier or playing music or accompanied by various animals. Polychrome painting with gold staffage. Designed by Johann Joachim Kaendler and Michel Victor Acier, c. 1740 and 1778/79 respectively. Partly unmarked/replaced; crossed swords mark. H. 10 cm - 14 cm. The "love of nature" is evident in the landscaped gardens and orangeries of the lavishly laid out palace complexes of European royal courts, which served not least as a means of representation. The courts also cultivated vineyards and cultivated orchards. The interest in nature was reflected on Meissen porcelain tableware in the form of tree-lined landscapes in cotton wool scenes or in the figures of gardeners, shepherds and winegrowers. Johann Joachim Kaendler (1706 - 1775) and his co-worker Michel Victor Acier (1736 - 1799) created various series of gardeners' children. Cf. cat. Staatl. Porzellan-Manufaktur Meissen, Figures I, Gardener's Children. An extensive collection of 70 gardener's figures modelled by J. J. Kaendler and M. V. Acier. Partly minor chipped/insignificantly restored. Crossed swords mark. Meissen. 19th and 20th century.