Two Berlin blue-ground topographical Amphorenvasen

CIRCA 1835, EACH WITH BLUE SCEPTRE MARK, ONE WITH IRON-RED REICHSAPFEL ABOVE K.P.M MARK AND INCISED IIII, OTHER IMPRESSED P

Details

Two Berlin blue-ground topographical Amphorenvasen
Circa 1835, each with blue sceptre mark, one with iron-red Reichsapfel above K.P.M mark and incised IIII, other impressed P
Of baluster form, the handles formed as papyrus fronds and enriched in bright and matt gilding, the bodies painted with views of Sanssouci, The Neues Palais, Potsdam seen from the Belvedere, The Brandenburger Tor and The Lange Brücke with The Königliche Schloss beyond, within iron-red and gilt simulated foliage frames, on a lapis-lazuli ground reserved with borders of stiff leaves and roundels to the neck and overlapping leaves to the lower part, resting on ormolu collars above flared feet and square bases gilt and reserved with blue, gold and white stripe borders (restoration to one handle and part of the base of the Potsdam vase, the Berlin vase with restored 2cm. chip to the underside of the rim, slight wear to gilding of rims and angles of bases)
21¼in. (54.3cm.) high (2)

Sale room notice

There is a restuck wedge-shaped corner section to the base of one vase. The estimate is now £17,500-20,000.

Lot Essay

This view of the Palace of Sanssouci pre-dates the immensely popular redevelopments of Frederick Wilhelm IV King of Prussia (1795-1861) in the 1840's. Sanssouci was built by Frederick II 'The Great' (1712-1786) in 1745-47 as a private residence overlooking terraced gardens with fountains. During his reign the great fountain below the terraces was rarely in use because there was insufficient water pressure. Frederick Wilhelm IV redeveloped the park, improving the water pressure of the great fountain by installing a steam engine in 1842 to pump water up to a reservoir on the Ruinenberg. The bridge in the foreground was also rebuilt in the 1840s. In this view the fountain is not in operation as shown in later vases, and the bridge is still in its earlier form.

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