King Vulture 1734

Johann Joachim Kändler crafted this porcelain King Vulture in the 18th century at the Meissen factory, a time when the natural world was being explored and classified. Kändler, as the leading sculptor, captured the exotic allure of the King Vulture, a bird native to Central and South America, for a European audience. What does it mean to encounter an animal like this through the lens of European craftsmanship and scientific curiosity? The vulture, often associated with death and decay, takes on a new meaning here. Is it a symbol of power, or perhaps a memento mori, a reminder of our own mortality? The hyperrealism combined with porcelain artistry suggests a desire to control and contain the wildness of nature. This sculpture invites us to consider the gaze through which we encounter the 'other', whether animal or human, and to reflect on the power dynamics inherent in such encounters.