A Meissen porcelain group emblematic of the Four Seasons, late 19th century, blue crossed swords mark, incised mark, modelled with putti representing the Seasons, Spring garlanded with flowers embracing Summer, holding a wheat sheaf, a partridge...

A Meissen porcelain group emblematic of the Four Seasons, late 19th century, blue crossed swords mark, incised mark, modelled with putti representing the Seasons, Spring garlanded with flowers embracing Summer, holding a wheat sheaf, a partridge nestling in reeds behind them, Autumn seated astride a wine barrel drinking wine and Winter huddled by a brazier, on a scroll-moulded mound base applied with foliage, 15.4 cm. high Provenance: Works of Art from the Schroder Collection.
The principal fault is that Summer should be holding a scythe (the blade is lacking). There is chipping to the tips of the wheat, and some of these have slight repaired areas. The reeds by the partridge (behind Summer and Spring) are chipped and partially restored (the partridge is not affected). There is some chipping to the tip of Winter’s skates and his left great toe, and there are some slight hairline cracks to the scroll below his right foot. The tap on the barrel appears to be a restored replacement. There is some chipping and areas of restoration to the flowers and foliage.