Four Atlases hold up the celestial sphere.

Johann Joachim Kändler (Fischbach 1706 – Meissen 1775) was one of the most important modelers of the Meissen manufactory. He began his apprenticeship at the Dresden manufactory under the carver J.B. Thomae, where he quickly rose to prominent positions until 1731. That year, he was appointed court sculptor by Frederick Augustus of Saxony and subsequently became a modeler at the Meissen manufactory. He held the position of head of sculptural design and, in 1749, was named court commissioner.

Beyond his rapid career advancement, Kändler’s work undoubtedly contributed to the success of the Meissen manufactory. His creations spanned various genres, with his depictions of animals, figures from the Commedia dell’arte, and mythological compositions—such as the present piece—being particularly renowned.

The model is numbered 2113 x. It is an extremely rare object, despite its evident damages, with no other known examples.

He calls himself ‘Fabricant de Necessaires du Roi’, as stated on the label on the back of the mirror. The quality of workmanship reaches a very high level in this sewing kit, confirmed both by the materials used, above all gold and turquoise stone, and by the fineness and elegance of the chiselling work. The gold parts bear the hallmark depicting a ‘ram’s head’, a mark introduced in France with the Law of 22 October 1817 and used until around 1835 to assay small objects. This nécessaire is also accompanied by an appraisal dated 1980, issued by the Parisian gallery ‘La Galerie des Laques’, which confirming the high quality of the object.