Two monumental Meissen centrepieces from the "Four Elements" series Large and small versions symbolising air and water. Pedestal-shaped base with shells and reeds in moving relief. Centrally seated boy as Cupid, driving the windmill attached to the side of the wall with a bellows, symbolising the air. Above a rising, baluster-shaped, partially open-worked, lattice-like body, framed by rocailles. Rocaille work rising up the sides of the base, in part in free sculpture, merging into feather decoration and pointing towards the sculptural parrot. Passige, partly open-worked cloudy lid crowning. The counterpart: Naturalistic terrain in the form of waves and rocks with crustaceans above a moulded round foot, surrounded by rocailles in high relief. Above it, a vase body rising between aquatic plants in the shape of an openwork basket, with a sculpturally moulded eel crawling out of the opening. Below a seated putto with a fishing net, holding a fish in his right hand. Polychrome painting with rich gold decoration. Designed by Johann Joachim Kaendler, 1747, remainder; crossed swords mark. H. 80 cm and 58.5 cm. The "Water" and "Air" vases are part of a monumental vase ensemble designed by Johann Joachim Kaendler for Count Heinrich von Brühl in 1747. He had already modelled a set on a smaller scale before the Brühl commission. Frederick II of Prussia ordered a set of this version in 1762 as a gift to his wife Elisabeth Christine for Schönhausen Palace. This was moved to the so-called Ivory Room in the Great Orangery in Potsdam in 1860, where it can still be seen today. The Prussian Lieutenant General Margrave Karl Friedrich von Brandenburg-Schwedt, who had rendered outstanding services during the Seven Years' War and enjoyed the trust of Frederick II, also ordered a set, albeit as early as 1761. Cf. Albiker, Meissner Porzellantiere, no. 236, Berling, Festschrift, p. 34; Keramos 208, 2010, p. 64. A pair of monumental porcelain centrepieces representing "air" and "water" from the series "Four elements" modelled by J. J. Kaendler. Restored. Crossed swords mark. Meissen. 19th century.