Statuette (figure) - Apollo with the Body of the Dragon Python

J. J. Kändler (1706–1775) was the most significant sculptor of the first European porcelain manufacture founded in 1710 and so far the most productive creator of this genre. His early statuettes, most frequently made for August the Strong, Prince Elector of Saxony and King of Poland and the founder of the manufacture, are in many cases life-sized fowls, dynamic works that project the strong effect of Baroque realism. By learning more and more about the material, he created an entire genre, the unique genre of porcelain statuettes. His works, which include almost all the fashionable subjects of the period, can be regarded as genuine documents of the era with their reserved painting with the precise execution of the details. His statuette, depicting Apollo with the dead body of Python has a mythological subject. According to the legend, Apollo killed the stenchy, pest-breathing dragon that stood in his way. To celebrate the memory of his victory, he holds competitions at his own oracle, the Phythia. Taking up the form of a dolphin, as Appollon Delphinios, he lures sailors from Crete to the oracle. They become his first priests there, in Delphoi, while his prophetess assumes the name of Pythia, to remember the dragon.
On the statuette of J. J. Kändler Apollo sits under a tree singing and playing his harp. Under his feet there is the skin of the defeated Python.
The pendant of this piece was in the former Gerhardt-collection, later in the Holitscher-collection.