Johann Joachim Kändler (June 15, 1706 – May 18, 1775) was a German sculptor who became the most important modeller of the Meissen porcelain manufactury, and arguably of all European porcelain. He worked at Meissen for over 40 years, from 1731 until his death in 1775. Meissen pieces of all sorts were normally made with moulds, whose designs Kändler mostly created, supervising the production of the moulds, and checking the quality of the many examples cast. He was often not involved with their painting, which can vary between examples. In addition to his work as a modeller, Kändler also came to serve in other roles at Meissen. First as chief of sculptural shaping, later as arcanist, he led the state porcelain manufactury through the restless period of the Seven Years' War and kept production going against the odds. Life Kändler was born in Fischbach near Arnsdorf, Germany, as the son of a pastor. He received a classical education and developed an excellent knowledge of Greco-Roman mythology. This knowledge, great skill with his hands and an exceptional gift for observation laid the foundations for Kändler's later career, which would lead him to the court of Prussian King Frederick the Great. The profits of his porcelain work rose in tandem with his social status. Yet at the end of his life, although he owned several properties and his own vineyard, he left behind large debts. He was buried at . Work Kändler's professional life began as an apprentice under the important Dresden court sculptor and altar carver Johann Benjamin Thomae (1682–1751). Already at this time he showed much skill, which led to him being given important tasks. His talent did not remain unnoticed and on 22 June 1731 at the age of 25, he was appointed court sculptor by Augustus II and installed as a modeller at the Meissen porcelain manufactory. There he became assistant to Johann Jacob Kirchner, and succeeded him as "modelmaster" in 1733 when Kirchner resigned. His early porcelain animal groups combine a forceful impression of nature with the influence of Dresden sculpture. Later, Kändler was in charge of sculptural shaping and finally became an "arcanist", admitted to the secrets of the formula for porcelain. The summit of his career in official terms was his appointment as Court Commissioner in 1749. The fame of the Meissen factory was based on the porcelain completed under Kändler's technical and aesthetic direction.