Meissen white porcelains @ Christie's, The Althorp Attic Sale

A Meissen model of a duck. Circa 1740, blue crossed swords and cancellation mark to side of base at back. Photo: Christie's Images Ltd., 2010

Naturally modelled standing on a reed and frond-moulded circular mound base, its plumage incised, 11 in. (28 cm.) high - Estimate £4,000 - £6,000

Literature: Probably W.B. Honey, Catalogue of the Porcelain and Pottery both Oriental and European in the Collection of Earl Spencer at Althorp, 1937, no. 593

Two Meissen white artichoke boxes and covers and a rose box and cover. Late 18th-19th century, various blue crossed swords marks, pressnummern cancellation marks throughout. Photo: Christie's Images Ltd., 2010

Each naturalistically modelled, two as artichokes with leaves forming covers, another as a rose bud, the overlapping petals forming the cover. The tallest 5¼ in. (13.3 cm.) high (6) - Estimate £4,000 - £6,000

A Meissen box and cover modelled as a tortoise. Mid-18th century, blue crossed swords and dot mark. Photo: Christie's Images Ltd., 2010

Naturalistically modelled standing on four feet, its shell forming the cover, 9¼ in. (23.5 cm.) long (2) - Estimate £2,500 - £3,500

Literature: W.B. Honey, Catalogue of the Porcelain and Pottery both Oriental and European in the Collection of Earl Spencer at Althorp, 1937, no. 594

Notes: For an enamelled version of this model see Rainer Rückert, Meissner Porzellan 1710-1810, Munich, 1966, p. 258.

Two Meissen (Marcolini) white fish tureens and covers. Circa 1780, blue crossed swords and star marks, one with cancellation mark. Photo: Christie's Images Ltd., 2010

Each naturalistically modelled as a trout, their scales and fins incised, 13 in. (33 cm.) long (4) - Estimate £2,000 - £3,000

Four Meissen (Marcolini) leaf-shaped dishes. Circa 1780, blue crossed swords and star marks, cancellation marks, incised numerals. Photo: Christie's Images Ltd., 2010

Each naturalistically modelled as overlapping vine leaves and trailing tendrils, 10 5/8 in. (27 cm.) wide (4) - Estimate £400 - £600

Christie's. The Althorp Attic Sale - Including the Spencer Carriages. 7 - 8 July 2010. London, South Kensington www.christies.com